SYPHILIS

Syphilis has four stages with specific symptoms. These stages do not necessarily follow one another. For example, it's quite possible to develop stage 2 without going through stage 1.

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Phase 1 (10 to 90 days after infection)

Syphilis usually begins with the appearance of one or more painless sores on the skin or mucous membranes, on the penis, glans, testicles, clitoris, vagina, anus, nipples, rectum, lips, mouth and throat, and more rarely in other parts of the body. These sores disappear on their own, without treatment, within 3 to 6 weeks.

The carrier remains contagious, however, and if left untreated during the first phase, the infection will progress to a second phase.

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Phase 2 (6 weeks to 6 months after the first wound)

- Appearance of skin rashes, often localized on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet;

- Possible joint and muscle pain;

- Flu syndrome with fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and sore throat;

- Patchy hair loss.

Although these symptoms may disappear naturally without treatment, the infection remains, and in the absence of treatment, the disease progresses to its third phase, known as the "latent" phase.

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Phase 3 - Latent phase

No symptoms are present during the latent phase of infection, but there is a risk of developing tertiary syphilis if left untreated. This latent phase can last for several years, during which syphilis remains contagious.

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Phase 4 - Tertiary syphilis or neurosyphilis (3 to 30 years or more after infection)

At this stage, the infection is no longer transmissible, but the bacteria remain active, multiplying and spreading throughout the body, causing severe damage to vital organs and the central nervous system (heart, brain, eyes, bones).

During the final phase of a syphilis infection, the emergence of : 

- skin or testicular tumors,

- tumors in other tissues, 

- cardiovascular symptoms such as aortic aneurysm or aortic valve insufficiency,

- degeneration of the central nervous system, with symptoms such as dementia, tremors and loss of productivity.

If left untreated, a third of individuals infected with syphilis develop, sometimes years later, a severe form known as tertiary syphilis, which can lead to serious complications such as cardiac and neurological problems, including stroke, loss of coordination, insensitivity, paralysis, loss of vision and hearing loss. Tertiary syphilis has dramatic health consequences and is associated with a very high mortality rate.

Transmission of syphilis from a pregnant person to their baby can occur during pregnancy.

Pregnant people are generally screened for syphilis, and those who are infected receive antibiotic treatment. Treatment during pregnancy helps prevent transmission of syphilis from the pregnant person to the child.

- Blood sampling ; 

- Smear of lesions when present; 

- Immediate result test/Rapid diagnostic test (TROD)

Treatment of syphilis requires the administration of antibiotics.

To protect yourself from syphilis, you can: use STI protection methods, avoid contact with blood (tattooing - single-use needle and ink pot, piercing - single-use or sterilized needle) and contact with skin rashes. 

Condoms reduce the risk of exposure, but do not offer total protection, as syphilis can be transmitted during sexual touching* and oral sex (practices less often protected).

A person who has sex with a syphilis chancre is at greater risk of contracting HIV or another STI.

 

*mutual masturbation and sexual friction

Regular screening for people with multiple partners: syphilis is easy to treat and of no consequence when diagnosed early.