Transmission of the bacteria usually occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The syphilis bacteria are passed from person to person through direct contact with: Sores mainly occur on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or rectum. Sores can also occur on the lips and in or around the mouth. The bacteria most commonly enter the body through mucous membranes, usually in the area around the genitals and urinary system.

You and your sex partner(s) must be examined and treated. If not treated they can give the infection back to you, or infect others. Your syphilis blood test may stay positive (not normal) even after treatment. You will be required to undergo additional treatment during the first year of your diagnosis.You will no longer be contagious once treatment is completed.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis can cause serious damage to your heart or brain if not treated promptly. Yes, Syphilis CAN be cured! Because Syphilis is caused by bacteria, antibiotics (e.g. penicillin) rid the body of the infection.

You get syphilis from skin-to-skin contact with an open sore called a "chancre." Syphilis, unlike HIV, is NOT passed by exposure to bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. See the answer to question 2 to read more about symptoms of syphilis, or click here to see graphic pictures of symptoms.

No, she died of extreme old age at 90. There is no possibility at all that she had syphilis. Her life is extremely well-documented and the symptoms of syphilis are not compatible with what we know about her. But this rumour about syphilis is quite common. I have been told that it was publicised by a priest who was opposing a church proposal to commemmorate her. He said she was an atheist who died of syphilis, and this was widely published in the press and resulted in the proposal being dropped.

If you believe you have symptoms of syphilis, STOP having sex and get tested as soon as possible. Click here to get more info on testing or treatment sites, or contact your medical provider. Please note: if you infect someone else with syphilis and you have sex with them again after you have been treated, your chances of getting re-infected with syphilis dramatically increase if they have not been properly treated as well.

A syphilis test requires a simple blood draw, like a traditional HIV test. Sometimes people prefer to get both an HIV test and a syphilis test at the same time because of this. If the result is positive, the test gives a ratio that relates to the amount of antibodies in your blood. If you are symptomatic, it is very important to be treated immediately because you are most infectious while symptomatic.

Syphilis, like most STDs, may not show symptoms right away. If symptoms do show, they may go unnoticed or be ignored. Syphilis symptoms follow three basic stages. The primary symptom, called a chancre, is a raised, rubbery sore that is usually painless. Even without medication, this sore will usually go away on its own. Secondary syphilis can cause patchy rashes primarily on the hands or soles of the feet. These symptoms can also go away without medication.

Yes! If not treated, syphilis can cause brain damage, heart disease, and other long-term health problems. A pregnant woman can pass syphilis to her baby which could cause permanent damage. The chancre also makes transmission of HIV much easier.

Penicillin shots cure syphilis. Other medicine can be used if you are allergic to penicillin. We sometimes find a positive test for syphilis in an older person who is no longer sexual. They could have been infected many years ago. We recommend treatment for them because some people with long term, untreated syphilis can develop brain, heart, and nervous system damage. At this late stage of syphilis a person is not contagious to sex partners.