An Overview of Syphilis
Syphilis is a progressive, sexually transmitted disease (STD) disease that occurs in stages. Symptoms vary depending on the stage of the disease.
Primary syphilis is the first stage. Syphilis symptoms at this stage include painless sores at the site of infection, forming approximately 2-3 weeks after infection. The sores disappear in 4-6 weeks - even without treatment - as the bacteria becomes dormant.
Secondary syphilis occurs approximately 2-8 weeks after the initial sores form. On average, 33% of those who do not treat syphilis in the primary stage, develop second stage symptoms. Similar to syphilis in the primary stage, symptoms will often disappear without treatment when the bacteria becomes dormant.
Tertiary syphilis is the third and most serious stage of syphilis. The infection can spread and cause irreversible damage to the brain, nervous system, heart, skin, and bones.
Testing for syphilis involves a simple blood sample which detects the presence of syphilis. STDtesting.com, a division of the Institute of Sexual Health, uses the most accurate syphilis test available which is 99.9 percent accurate.
Syphilis is commonly treated with penicillin. The dose and administration method are dependent on the stage of syphilis.
