Syphilis is an infection which is caused by a bacteria. It is most easily passed on through penetrative anal and vaginal sex without a condom.
Symptoms
There are a number of symptoms of Syphilis, which show
up at different stages in the infection. The symptoms are the
same in men as in women.
Early Symptoms
When Syphilis is not treated and it stays in the body, people can go on to get much more serious health problems later in life. These can include:
· Heart problems
· Eyesight problems
· Problems with the nervous system
It is still possible to get rid of Syphilis during this stage, but sometimes the serious problems do not go away.
What can you do if you think you have Syphilis?
If you think you have Syphilis, you can go to your nearest sexual health clinic. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/std2.shtml You can also visit your primary care provider.
Testing
The doctor will test you for Syphilis with a simple blood test. If you have a sore on your body, they will swab this with a cotton wool stick. They will also examine you. None of these tests will be painful, but some may be uncomfortable.
The samples will then be tested for Syphilis.
Treatment
If you have Syphilis it is usually easy to get rid of it with a
course of antibiotics, taken either in pill form or as injections.
But you have to take all the pills to kill the Syphilis. Once you
have taken the antibiotics, you will need to return to the doctor
to make sure the Syphilis is gone.
Protect yourself and others
You will need to tell your boyfriend or anyone else you have had sex with, as soon as possible that you have been diagnosed with Syphilis, so that they can get checked out too. It is important to get rid of the Syphilis early on as it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
Using a condom can help protect against Syphilis. Also, remember That using a condom will help protect you against getting or passing on other STDs.