Syphilis Arkansas Department of Health

Syphilis

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), and there are different signs and symptoms associated with each stage.

Signs and Symptoms

1st stage (primary syphilis)

Symptoms begin 1-12 weeks after exposure
A painless, open sore(s) on the mouth, genitals or anus
Sore(s) can be “hidden” in the vagina or rectum
Sore(s) last 1-5 weeks
Sore(s) goes away, but syphilis is still in the blood

2nd stage (secondary syphilis)

Symptoms show up 6 weeks to 6 months after sore appears
A rash anywhere on the body
Flu-like symptoms
Whitish-grey patches on mouth/lips, wart-like lesions around genitals, and/or hair loss can occur but are less common

Latent stage

No sores or rashes, but syphilis is still in the blood and can affect the heart, brain and other organs over time

Transmission

Syphilis is spread by:

Vaginal sex
Oral sex
Anal sex
Infected mother to newborn

Complications

If left untreated, syphilis can:

Spread to sex partners
Cause heart disease
Cause blindness
Cause brain damage
Make it easier to transmit or acquire HIV during sex

During pregnancy, syphilis may cause:

Stillbirths in pregnant women
Congenital birth defects
Severe damage to bones, brain, lungs, liver and other organs in infected infants

Prevention

Avoiding vaginal, oral or anal sex is the best way to prevent STDs.
Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of syphilis only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the condom.
Always use latex condoms during vaginal and anal sex.
Use a latex condom for oral sex on a penis.
Use a latex barrier (dental dam or condom cut in half) for oral sex on a vagina or anus.
Limit the number of sex partners.
Notify sex partners immediately if infected.
Make sure partners are tested and treated.

Testing and Treatment