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Syphilis

Primary syphilis; Secondary syphilis; Late syphilis; Tertiary syphilis; Treponema - syphilis; Clap; Lues; Sexually transmitted disease - syphilis; Sexually transmitted infection - syphilis; STD - syphilis; STI - syphilis

 

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is most often spread through sexual contact.

Causes

 

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious (STI) disease caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum . This bacteria causes infection when it gets into broken skin or mucus membranes, usually of the genitals. Syphilis is most often transmitted through sexual contact, although it also can be transmitted in other ways.

Syphilis occurs worldwide, most commonly in urban areas. The number of cases is rising fastest in men who have sex with men (MSM). Young adults ages 20 to 35 are the highest-risk population. Because people may be unaware that they are infected with syphilis, many states require tests for syphilis before marriage. All pregnant women who receive prenatal care should be screened for syphilis to prevent the infection from passing to their newborn (congenital syphilis).

Syphilis has three stages:

  • Primary syphilis
  • Secondary syphilis
  • Tertiary syphilis (the late phase of the illness)

Secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis, and congenital syphilis are not seen as often in the United States because of education, screening, and treatment.

 

Symptoms

 

The incubation period for primary syphilis is 14 to 21 days. Symptoms of primary syphilis are:

  • Small, painless open sore or ulcer (called a chancre) on the genitals, mouth, skin, or rectum that heals by itself in 3 to 6 weeks
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the area of the sore

The bacteria continue to grow in the body, but there are few symptoms until the second stage.

The symptoms of secondary syphilis start 4 to 8 weeks after the primary syphilis. The symptoms may include:

  • Skin rash, usually on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
  • Sores called mucous patches in or around the mouth, vagina, or penis
  • Moist, warty patches (called condylomata lata) in the genitals or skin folds
  • Fever
  • General ill feeling
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Vision changes
  • Hair loss

Tertiary syphilis develops in untreated people. The symptoms depend on which organs have been affected. They vary widely and can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms include:

  • Damage to the heart, causing aneurysms or valve disease
  • Central nervous system disorders ( neurosyphilis )
  • Tumors of skin, bones, or liver

 

Exams and Tests

 

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms. Tests that may be done include:

  • Examination of fluid from sore (rarely done)
  • Echocardiogram , aortic angiogram , and cardiac catheterization to look at the major blood vessels and the heart
  • Spinal tap and examination of spinal fluid
  • Blood tests to screen for syphilis bacteria ( RPR , VDRL , or TRUST)

If the RPR, VDRL, or TRUST tests are positive, one of the following tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis:

  • FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody test)
  • MHA-TP
  • TP-EIA
  • TP-PA

 

Treatment

 

Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, such as:

  • Doxycycline (type of tetracycline given to people who are allergic to penicillin)
  • Penicillin G benzathine

Length of treatment depends on how severe the syphilis is, and factors such as the person's overall health.

To treat syphilis during pregnancy, penicillin is the drug of choice. Tetracycline cannot be used for treatment because it is dangerous to the unborn baby. Erythromycin may not prevent congenital syphilis in the baby. People who are allergic to penicillin should ideally be desensitized to it, and then treated with penicillin.

Several hours after getting treatment for the early stages of syphilis, people may experience the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This process is caused by an immune reaction to the breakdown products of the infection.

Symptoms and signs of this reaction include:

  • Chills
  • Fever
  • General ill feeling ( malaise )
  • Headache
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Nausea
  • Rash

These symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours.

Follow-up blood tests must be done at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to ensure that the infection is gone. Avoid sexual contact when the chancre is present. Use condoms until two follow-up tests have shown that the infection has been cured, to reduce the chance of transmitting the infection.

All sexual partners of the person with syphilis should also be treated. Syphilis can spread very easily in the primary and secondary stages.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Primary and secondary syphilis can be cured if it is diagnosed early and completely treated.

Although secondary syphilis usually goes away within weeks, in some cases it may last for up to 1 year. Without treatment, up to one-third of people will have late complications of syphilis.

Late syphilis may be permanently disabling, and it may lead to death.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications of syphilis may include:

  • Cardiovascular problems (aortitis and aneurysms)
  • Destructive sores of skin and bones (gummas)
  • Neurosyphilis
  • Syphilitic myelopathy - a complication that involves muscle weakness and abnormal sensations
  • Syphilitic meningitis

In addition, untreated secondary syphilis during pregnancy may spread the disease to the developing baby. This is called congenital syphilis.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of syphilis.

Also contact your provider, or get screened in an STI clinic if you have:

  • Had intimate contact with a person who has syphilis or any other STI
  • Engaged in any high-risk sexual practices, including having multiple or unknown partners or using intravenous drugs

 

Prevention

 

If you are sexually active, practice safer sex and always use a condom.

All pregnant women should be screened for syphilis.

 

 

Open References

References

Hook EW. Syphilis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 319.

Muldoon EG, Freedman D . Syphilis. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Berth-Jones J, Coulson I, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 231.

Radolf JD, Tramont EC, Salazar JC . Syphilis (Treponema pallidum). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 239.

 
  • Primary syphilis

    Primary syphilis - illustration

    Treponema pallidum

    Primary syphilis

    illustration

  • Male and female reproductive systems

    Male and female reproductive systems - illustration

    The male and female reproductive systems, viewed from a mid-sagittal section.

    Male and female reproductive systems

    illustration

  • Syphilis, secondary on the palms

    Syphilis, secondary on the palms - illustration

    Secondary syphilis is one of the few infectious diseases that produces rashes on the palms and soles, as well as a generalized rash. If an ulcer on the penis is followed several weeks later by a rash, the person should always be evaluated for syphilis.

    Syphilis, secondary on the palms

    illustration

    • Primary syphilis

      Primary syphilis - illustration

      Treponema pallidum

      Primary syphilis

      illustration

    • Male and female reproductive systems

      Male and female reproductive systems - illustration

      The male and female reproductive systems, viewed from a mid-sagittal section.

      Male and female reproductive systems

      illustration

    • Syphilis, secondary on the palms

      Syphilis, secondary on the palms - illustration

      Secondary syphilis is one of the few infectious diseases that produces rashes on the palms and soles, as well as a generalized rash. If an ulcer on the penis is followed several weeks later by a rash, the person should always be evaluated for syphilis.

      Syphilis, secondary on the palms

      illustration

    Self Care

     

      Tests for Syphilis

       
         

        Review Date: 7/31/2016

        Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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