Syphilis
What is it?
Symptoms & Effects
Screening & Treatment
Protection
More...
What is it?
Syphilis,, an STD caused by a certain type of bacteria, is sometimes called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are just like symptoms of other diseases.
Syphilis used to not be very common or so we thought. Turns out,we just didn’t really hear about people getting syphilis. But now doctors are seeing more patients with syphilis - not a good sign.
Symptoms & Effects
You can get syphilis from having sex, and that includes oral or anal sex, too. The first symptoms of syphilisis a painless sore called a chancre ("shanker") that shows up where the bacteria entered the body – the penis or anus or mouth. In women, the sore can happen inside the vagina, so chances are she won't notice the symptom at this stage. A chancre looks like a small, red crater.
This sore disappears, but syphilis is still in your body. After two to five months, other signs may start to show up. These include skin rash, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and patches of hair that fall out. After a few weeks these signs disappear. That's the problem with syphilis – when the symptoms disappear, people may think they're "cured.” They aren't. Syphilis can continue to attack others parts of the body and can lead to permanent heart damage or brain damage – even death.
Screening & Treatment
You can get a simple blood test to find out if you have syphilis. If you think you've been with someone who has syphilis, definitely get a test!! Syphilis is caused by bacteria, so that means it can be cured easily by antibiotics that your provider can give you on the spot!
Protection
Syphilis is passed through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils. Avoid sexual contact with any infected persons or anyone showing signs or symptoms of syphilis (if they have a sore, stay away!). Always use a condom if you engage in sexual activity with someone who doesn’t have sores.
More...
Symptoms & Effects
Screening & Treatment
Protection
More...
What is it?
Syphilis,, an STD caused by a certain type of bacteria, is sometimes called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are just like symptoms of other diseases.
Syphilis used to not be very common or so we thought. Turns out,we just didn’t really hear about people getting syphilis. But now doctors are seeing more patients with syphilis - not a good sign.
Symptoms & Effects
You can get syphilis from having sex, and that includes oral or anal sex, too. The first symptoms of syphilisis a painless sore called a chancre ("shanker") that shows up where the bacteria entered the body – the penis or anus or mouth. In women, the sore can happen inside the vagina, so chances are she won't notice the symptom at this stage. A chancre looks like a small, red crater.
This sore disappears, but syphilis is still in your body. After two to five months, other signs may start to show up. These include skin rash, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and patches of hair that fall out. After a few weeks these signs disappear. That's the problem with syphilis – when the symptoms disappear, people may think they're "cured.” They aren't. Syphilis can continue to attack others parts of the body and can lead to permanent heart damage or brain damage – even death.
Screening & Treatment
You can get a simple blood test to find out if you have syphilis. If you think you've been with someone who has syphilis, definitely get a test!! Syphilis is caused by bacteria, so that means it can be cured easily by antibiotics that your provider can give you on the spot!
Protection
Syphilis is passed through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils. Avoid sexual contact with any infected persons or anyone showing signs or symptoms of syphilis (if they have a sore, stay away!). Always use a condom if you engage in sexual activity with someone who doesn’t have sores.
More...