What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis is a rare disease in Denmark but more common in eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

Risks of getting infected

There is a higher risk of infection if you:

• Have unprotected sex
• Have unprotected sex with a person from or in a higher-risk-area, as mentioned above

What are the symptoms?

Syphilis develops in stages, and symptoms vary with each stage. However, some of the stages may overlap, and symptoms don't always occur in the same order. You may be infected with syphilis without noticing any symptoms for years.

Stage 1: During the first stage of the disease ulcers may occur on the genitalia. They may also occur in the mouth, in the rectum, or in the vagina. They can easily be overlooked. Ulcers occur approximately 3 weeks after contracting the infection.

Stage 2: During the second stage of the disease a rash on one or more areas of your body may occur. You may also experience swollen lymph nodes, and small lenticular thickenings on your palms and soles of the feet, also called papules. Some may experience flu like symptoms and feel sick.

Stage 3: No symptoms. May last for years.

Stage 4:  In the late stage, the disease may damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. 

Examination

A blood test or a swap specimen from an ulcer can confirm an infection. Syphilis antibodies will appear approximately 4-6 weeks after transmission. However, due to incubation time, a period of 3 months must pass from possible transmission to blood test to rule out an infection.

Treatment

Early stages of syphilis (<1 year) can be treated with a single injection of penicillin given in each buttock.

If the duration of the infection is unknown or longer than 1 year, the treatment is an injection once a week for 3 weeks.

In case of penicillin allergy, the infection can be treated with tablets (Doxycyklin).

Side effects from the treatment

On a rare occasion an allergic reaction with rashes or hives may occur. Therefore, you must stay for observation in the waiting area for 30 minutes after the injection.

It is normal to experience flu-like symptoms including fever 4-6 hours after treatment. These side effects will normally cease within 24 hours. Side effects can be relieved with Ibuprofen 200-400 mg maximum x 3 daily.

We recommend that you obtain completely from any sexual activity until after your treatment is completed, to prevent you from passing on the infection.

Control

To ensure that the treatment has been efficient you must come back for a control test 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

You cannot infect others after treatment. However, you may be re-infected if your partner has the same infection. As such, it is important that your sexual partner gets tested and treated if positive.

How to prevent syphilis from spreading

It is important that you contact your sexual partners (including oral sex) within the past 6 months and advise them to get tested, even if they do not have any symptoms.

Remember always to use a condom to reduce risk of contracting a STD.