Syphilis Infection: First Sign, Treatment, and Important Facts

Syphilis Infection: First Sign, Treatment, and Important Facts

Syphilis is a dangerous sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can prove to be fatal when left untreated. But when treated on time, it is completely curable. The disease is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that syphilis cases in women have seen a downward trend in the recent years. But, there is an increase in cases among men who have sex with men.

The first sign

A small, unimportant looking sore – this is the first sign of syphilis infection, as per Arlington, VA, STD clinic.

It may appear on your genital area, rectum, or in the mouth. The sore is known as chancre. It is painless and often goes unnoticed by people, more so because it heals by itself.

“This is the exact time when you must take action,” says a doctor at the clinic. “You know you had unprotected sex. Then you get a sore. You must immediately consult a doctor. There must not be any question about delay.”

Once the sore heals, you may not get any other sign or symptom. You feel fit and fine. Yet, the bacterium stays in your body for years. Untreated syphilis can become dangerous over time. It can spread to other organs and damage them. The bacterium can reach up to your brain and heart, even the eyes. It can wreak havoc with your blood vessels and nervous system.

A simple painless sore can turn into a serious health complication later in life.

That’s why doctors advise not to take syphilis infection lightly. Visit Arlington, VA, STD clinic when you notice a sore on your genitals or mouth. It is easy to treat this STD in the earliest stage.

Treatment of syphilis

No home remedies exist for syphilis. Also, please do not take any OTC drug. Nothing works. Syphilis can only be treated through penicillin.

Your doctor will administer the dose accordingly. So, it is better to leave the treatment to a qualified doctor, instead of trying to treat it on your own.

Generally, the doctor would administer a single intramuscular injection of Benzathine penicillin G to a patient suffering from syphilis at the primary, secondary, and latent stage.

Three injections of penicillin are required at weekly intervals for patients suffering from syphilis at the late latent stage or latent stage of unknown duration.

Please remember that penicillin is meant to kill syphilis bacteria, but it will not repair any organ damage that has happened due to untreated infection.

That’s why it is recommended that you treat syphilis as earliest as possible.

Points to remember

• Syphilis spreads only through direct skin-to-skin contact or sexual activity. It cannot be transmitted through sharing utensils or clothes or toilet with an infected person.
• Patients under syphilis treatment must abstain from sex until they are completely cured.
• Partners of syphilis patients must also undergo a test and get treatment, if needed.

In Pentagon, syphilis STD can be easily treated through proper diagnosis and treatment. Walk in the clinic and receive testing and treatment on the same day.