What are the symptoms of syphilis?
Syphilis symptoms vary depending on the stage of the infection. You’re most contagious in the early stages, when you’re most likely to notice symptoms. During the first stage, one or more sores develop on your genitals. You may not notice them or mistake them for a pimple or other skin lesion.
During the second stage, you may get a rash and experience flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, sore throat and muscles aches.
After the second stage, the symptoms of syphilis are hidden (latent stage). Just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean the infection is gone. The only thing that cures the infection and prevents it from progressing is treatment with medication.
What does syphilis look like?
In the first stage of syphilis, a small, smooth sore develops on your genitals, mouth or lips. It may resemble a pimple and be so small and harmless that you don’t even notice. This sore goes away on its own in about six weeks.
In the second stage of syphilis, a rough, red or brown rash develops. It begins in one area but will eventually cover your entire body — including the bottom of your feet and palms. You may have skin rashes and/or sores in your mouth, vagin* or anus.
Where can you get syphilis?
Syphilis affects your entire body. However, the first sign of syphilis is an ulcer-like sore. It develops where the bacteria came into contact with your skin during sex. The following areas are where you’re most likely to find a syphilis sore (chancre):
In women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB)
- On your vulva (external genitals).
- In or around your vagin*.
- Around your anus or inside your rectum.
- On your lips or in your mouth.
In men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB)
- On your penis or scrotum.
- Under the foreskin of your penis.
- Around your anus or inside your rectum.
- On your lips or in your mouth.
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What causes syphilis?
The bacteria Treponema pallidum causes syphilis. An infected person spreads the bacteria through vagin*l, anal or oral sex. The bacteria can enter your body through your anus, vagin*, penis, mouth or broken skin. The bacteria continues to spread throughout your body, which can eventually damage certain organs.
How does syphilis spread?
Syphilis is contagious, especially in the primary and secondary stages when you have sores, ulcers or a rash. Syphilis typically spreads from person to person during sexual contact, even if there’s no penetration or ejacul*tion. However, you can get it if any part of your body touches the sore or rash of someone with syphilis.
If you have syphilis and have sex, you can infect your partner. If you’re pregnant and have syphilis, you can pass it to the fetus. But, you can’t get syphilis by touching objects like toilet seats, utensils and doorknobs. This is because the bacteria that cause syphilis can’t survive on objects.
How long am I contagious?
Even if you don’t have outward symptoms of syphilis (like a sore or rash), the infection is still in your body until you take antibiotics. If you have syphilis and don’t get treatment, you’re contagious whether you notice a sore or not. If you have symptoms of infection or believe you’ve been exposed, contact a healthcare provider for treatment right away.
Can you get syphilis from kissing?
Yes. While it’s rare to get syphilis from kissing, you can get syphilis by having direct contact with a syphilis sore. This means if you kiss your partner’s sore, you’re putting yourself at risk of infection. You can even get syphilis through broken skin. This is why getting treatment is important if you think you have syphilis or were exposed to it.
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Can syphilis cause problems during pregnancy?
Yes. If you have syphilis and don’t get treatment, you can pass the infection to your child. Up to 40% of babies born to people with untreated syphilis die from the infection. It’s most common to spread the infection to the fetus during pregnancy. But, it can also happen during delivery if your baby has direct contact with a syphilis sore on your vagin*. If a baby’s born with syphilis, it’s called congenital syphilis.
Syphilis during pregnancy can also cause:
- Miscarriage.
- Premature birth.
- Low birthweight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth).
- Issues with the umbilical cord.
- Stillbirth.
- Death within the first 28 days of life. This only occurs if you don’t receive treatment for syphilis.
These potential complications are why attending your prenatal visits and getting tested for STIs is so important. Treatment before 26 weeks of pregnancy leads to the best outcomes.
What are the health complications of syphilis?
If you don’t receive treatment and syphilis progresses to the last stage of the infection, you’re at risk for life-threatening complications. Damage to your body gets worse the longer you have syphilis. That’s why it’s so important to get treatment right away. Untreated syphilis can cause blindness and paralysis and lead to problems with your heart, brain, spinal cord and other organs.
