Myth

I’m on the pill so we don’t need condoms.

Click here to reveal the reality

Syphilis

Untreated, the syphilis organism — spirochete — can remain in the body for life and lead to disfigurement, neurologic disorder, or death. There are 35,000 new cases reported each year in the U.S.

Common symptons--if they occur

Syphilis has several phases that may overlap. They do not always follow in the same sequence. Symptoms vary with each phase, but there are no symptoms most of the time.

• Primary Phase: Painless sores or open, wet ulcers —
  chancres — often appear from three weeks to 90 days
  after infection. They last three to six weeks. They appear
  on the genitals, in the vagina, on the cervix, lips, mouth, breast, or anus. Swollen glands may also occur during the primary phase.
  
• Secondary Phase: Other symptoms often appear from three to six weeks after the sores appear. They may come and go for up to two years. They include body rashes that last from two to six weeks — often on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. There are many other symptoms, including mild fever, fatigue, sore throat, hair loss, weight loss, swollen glands, headache, and muscle pains.
  
• Latent Phase: No symptoms. Latent phases occur between other phases.
  
• Late Phase: One-third of untreated people with syphilis suffer serious damage to the nervous system, heart, brain, or other organs, and death may result.

How syphilis is spread

• vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse
  
• kissing
  
• to the fetus during pregnancy

Syphilis is especially contagious when sores are present early in the disease — the liquid that oozes from them is very infectious. People are usually not contagious during the latent phases of the first four years of syphilis infections. Untreated syphilis remains latent for many years or a lifetime, but can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

The effect of syphilis on a fetus is very serious. If untreated, the risks of stillbirth or serious birth defects are high. Birth defects include damage to the heart, brain, and skeleton as well as blindness. It is very important for pregnant women to consider testing for syphilis early, and, sometimes, throughout their pregnancies. Pregnant women with syphilis can be treated to prevent damage to the fetus.

Diagnosis

• microscopic examination of fluid from sores
  
• blood tests
  
• examination of spinal fluid

Treatment: Both partners can be successfully treated with antibiotics — but damage caused by the disease in the later phases cannot be undone.

Protection: Condoms reduce the risk of infection with syphilis during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.