Syphilis: All You Need to Know for Teens and Young Adults

Syphilis: STD Briefs for Teens & Young Adults

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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems if it's not treated. It's caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Syphilis can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. It can also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

Syphilis has four stages:

1. Primary syphilis: This is the first stage of syphilis. It usually develops within 10-90 days after exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms include a small, painless sore (chancre) at the site of infection. The chancre will usually heal within a few weeks.
2. Secondary syphilis: This stage occurs 4-8 weeks after the chancre heals. Symptoms include a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
3. Latent syphilis: This stage occurs when the symptoms of secondary syphilis go away. The bacteria remain in the body, but they don't cause any symptoms. Latent syphilis can last for years or even decades.
4. Tertiary syphilis: This is the most serious stage of syphilis. It can occur years or even decades after the initial infection. Symptoms include damage to the brain, heart, and other organs.

Syphilis is diagnosed with a blood test. Treatment involves taking antibiotics. The sooner syphilis is treated, the better the chances of a full recovery.

Syphilis can be prevented by using condoms during sex and by getting tested for STIs regularly.

Symptoms of Syphilis

The symptoms of syphilis vary depending on the stage of the infection.

Primary syphilis

• A small, painless sore (chancre) at the site of infection
• The chancre will usually heal within a few weeks

Secondary syphilis

• A rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue

Latent syphilis

No symptoms

Tertiary syphilis

• Damage to the brain
• Damage to the heart
• Damage to other organs

Treatment for Syphilis

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic used and the length of treatment will depend on the stage of the infection.

Primary syphilis

Primary syphilis is treated with a single injection of penicillin.

Secondary syphilis

Secondary syphilis is treated with penicillin injections for 10-14 days.

Latent syphilis

Latent syphilis is treated with penicillin injections for 28 days.

Tertiary syphilis

Tertiary syphilis is treated with penicillin injections for 28 days or longer.

Prevention of Syphilis

Syphilis can be prevented by using condoms during sex and by getting tested for STIs regularly.

Condoms

Condoms are the most effective way to prevent STIs, including syphilis.

STI testing

Getting tested for STIs regularly is important for early diagnosis and treatment.

Syphilis is a serious STI that can cause serious health problems if it's not treated. However, syphilis is curable if it's treated early.

If you're a teen or young adult, it's important to know about syphilis and to take steps to protect yourself from infection.

Syphilis: STD Briefs for Teens & Young Adults

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1313 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	5 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE