Can Syphilis Be Cured?
How to Treat Syphilis and How Long It Takes to Be Cured
Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD
Syphilis can be cured with penicillin treatments, but the more advanced the infection, the longer it can take to cure syphilis.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that develops in stages and symptoms vary with each stage. Syphilis is on the rise in the U.S.: cases increased by nearly 80% between 2018 and 2022. It is important to diagnose syphilis early to prevent serious complications.
This article explains the stages of syphilis, how it's treated, how long it takes to cure it, and the side effects if it's not treated.
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What Is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria. People usually get it by coming in contact with a syphilis sore on another person's penis, vagina, anus, or mouth. Symptoms commonly appear about three weeks after transmission, but it can happen sooner or take up to three months.
Stages of Syphilis
There are four stages of syphilis. Syphilis can be cured, and treatments are most effective if they're given while you're in the early stages of the infection. The sooner it's diagnosed and treated, the less risk of complications and infecting others. It can take longer to cure syphilis when it's in the later stages.
Stage One
In stage one (primary stage) the first symptom is a single sore called a chancre. A chancre is round, firm, and usually painless. Some people may have more than one sore.
The chancre develops where the bacteria made contact with the body. For example, it may be inside the vagina, where it can go unnoticed but still transmit the bacteria to other people during sexual activity.
Chancres last a few weeks and then heal, whether or not you have treatment. However, the syphilis bacteria is still present in your body, and you can transmit it to others even after the sore has gone away.
Stage Two
In stage two (secondary stage) the chancre is healing or soon after, reddish or reddish-brown rashes develop on the skin. They are usually on the palms or the soles of the feet but may appear elsewhere. They don't itch and can be faint and easy to overlook.
The rash may also appear as large grey or white areas called condyloma lata, which form in moist places like the underarms, groin, or mouth. In addition, there may be small sores in the vagina, anus, or mouth. Other symptoms can include:
Fever
Sore throat
Patchy hair loss
Headaches
Weight loss
Muscle aches
Fatigue or malaise
You can transmit syphilis to others during the second stage. The symptoms of secondary syphilis will go away with or without treatment, but the syphilis bacteria is still present in your body if you have not been treated.
Stage Three
The third stage of syphilis is called "latent," which means there are no symptoms, though you still have syphilis. Experts divide stage three into early and late phases. Some people relapse during this time to the second stage.
Latent syphilis can last for years. It may not progress or reemerge, but serious complications can occur if it does. You can still transmit syphilis to others during the latent stage.
Stage Four
The fourth stage of syphilis is called "tertiary syphilis." About a third of those with syphilis will progress to this stage, a third will have syphilis but be asymptomatic, and a third will fight off the syphilis bacteria without treatment.
Stage four can appear anywhere from 10 to 30 years after a person has contracted syphilis. It can be fatal in some cases, though treatment advances have made that less likely. It increases the risk of contracting HIV and can affect organs, including the:
Brain
Nervous system
Eyes
Heart
Liver
Bones
Blood vessels
Joints
A person in stage four cannot transmit syphilis to others.
How Syphilis Is Cured
A single injection of long-acting Benzathine penicillin G can cure cases of syphilis in the primary, secondary, and early latent stages. It takes three doses at weekly intervals for late latent syphilis or syphilis of unknown duration.
Treatment will cure the infection and prevent further damage, but it will not repair damage already done. Healthcare providers will treat the damaged areas as needed.
How Long Does It Take to Cure Syphilis?
It can take weeks for the infection to be cured. The only way to know when syphilis is cured is through blood tests.
After treatment, it is important to follow up with a healthcare provider for recommendations about testing. They can tell you when the infection is cured and when it's safe to be sexually active again.
Preventing Syphilis
The only reliable way to prevent syphilis is to abstain from sexual activity. Syphilis sores can be easy to overlook because they may not hurt and may be on the inside of your genitals or anus. Wearing condoms, using dental dams, and being hygienic with sex toys can help. Talk candidly with sexual partners about possible exposure.
Side Effects of Syphilis Treatment
About 10% of people treated for syphilis feel sick within a few hours. They may develop one or more of the following symptoms:
Fever
Chills
Flushing
Achy muscles
Racing heart
Headache
Rash
This reaction clears quickly on its own, usually within 24 hours.
Complications If Left Untreated
Untreated syphilis can be life-threatening. Without treatment, syphilis can spread to the heart and blood vessels, the brain, the nervous system (neurosyphilis), the eye (ocular syphilis), or the ear (otosyphilis). These complications can lead to dementia, blindness, and hearing loss.
People who have had syphilis also have a higher risk of developing an HIV infection.
Summary
Syphilis cases are on the rise, but it is a curable disease when diagnosed. It progresses in stages, and the sores and other symptoms may disappear. However, that does not mean the infection has gone away—only antibiotics can cure syphilis.
An antibiotic injection is usually enough to cure syphilis. However, untreated syphilis can progress to the fourth stage, which can be serious and even life-threatening. It's essential to get diagnosed and treated for your health and to prevent the transmission of syphilis to others.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
