How is syphilis treated?

Treatment of syphilis begins with seeking regular medical care throughout your life. Regular medical care allows your health care professional to best assess your risks of catching syphilis and promptly order further diagnostic testing as needed. These measures greatly increase the chances of diagnosing and treating syphilis in its earliest, most curable stage.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment can eliminate the risk of developing serious complications. If you have syphilis, you can help cure it and eliminate its transmission by consistently following your treatment plan. Treatment includes:

  • Abstaining from sexual activity until the infection is cured and your sexual partner(s) have been treated, even if they have no symptoms.

  • An intramuscular injection of the antibiotic penicillin. More doses of penicillin may be required for people who have had syphilis for more than a year.

What are the possible complications of syphilis?

Complications of untreated syphilis can be serious and life threatening. You can minimize the risk of serious complications for yourself, your unborn child, and your sexual partner(s) by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of syphilis include:

  • An increased risk for contracting HIV, which causes AIDS

  • Aortic aneurysm

  • Birth defects

  • Blindness

  • Dementia

  • Paralysis

  • Stillbirth

INTRODUCTION

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by an infection of the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can also be spread to a fetus by an infected mother during pregnancy. A simple blood test can check for this bacterial infection.... Read more about syphilis introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

Syphilis is an infection that can stay in the body for years if not recognized and treated promptly. There are three stages of syphilis, and each stage has distinct symptoms.... Read more about syphilis symptoms

CAUSES

What causes syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterial infection of the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact that involves vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Syphilis infection can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy.... Read more about syphilis causes

Medical Reviewer: McDonough, Brian, MD Last Annual Review Date: Jan 2, 2011 Copyright: © Copyright 2011 Health Grades, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or reprinted without permission from Health Grades, Inc. Use of this information is governed by the HealthGrades User Agreement.