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How Do I Know If I Have It?

A trained healthcare professional can diagnose syphilis by examining material from a sore using a special microscope.

A blood test is another way to determine whether someone is infected. Shortly after infection, the body produces infection-fighting antibodies, which can be detected with an inexpensive blood test. These antibodies can stay in the blood for months or years after infection. Every pregnant woman should receive this blood test given the risk of the disease to her developing baby.

What Are the Treatments?

If caught early, syphilis may be cured with antibiotics. A single dose of penicillin is extremely effective in treating the early stages of syphilis, and the antibiotic is fairly effective (in larger doses) in treating the later stages of the disease as well. If you are allergic to penicillin, tell your doctor, and you will probably get tetracycline, doxycycline or erythromycin instead. Then you'll require follow-up blood tests at regular intervals for at least a year after treatment.

But if the disease progresses to the third stage, you may suffer permanent damage to your heart or nervous system.

People who receive syphilis treatment must abstain from sexual contact with new partners until the sores are healed. All sexual partners need to be notified about an infection so they can be tested and if necessary, treated.

There are no home remedies or over-the-counter drugs that will cure syphilis.

How Can I Prevent It?

Always use a latex condom when having sex, especially if you are not in a mutually monogamous, long-term relationship. However, condoms do not provide complete protection because the syphilis sores can sometimes be on areas not covered by a condom.

Washing, urinating, or douching after sex does not prevent STDs, including syphilis.