The scary part about this disease is that it "imitates" other diseases. This means that you will find the same symptoms that you will probably find in other diseases. For example, you might just think that the painless syphilis sore you have is a scab, a subdued boil, pimple, rash or even herpes.

In effect, you might not be able to know that you have syphilis.

Now…

According to the Medical Director of Antarang, "The number of syphilis cases is on the rise again, because of the widespread occurrence of HIV AIDS and the sexual activities of young people today."

The Sore Problem…

Syphilis is actually a sore, which can be passed on through direct contact. Be very careful if you find a circular, small, firm and painless sore in any of these areas.

• Vagina
• Anus
• Rectum

Remember, these sores can also erupt on your lips and mouth. So, if you kiss an infected partner, you will also get the disease.

Apart from that, you will get syphilis, if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner. In case you are pregnant and have syphilis, then you could even pass the disease to your baby through the placenta.

However, syphilis cannot be spread through indirect contact. So it is perfectly fine to eat in the same plate, share clothes and even swim in the same pool.

Risky Business

According to the Antarang clinic, a single drug, penicillin penedura injection can cure you. However, the dosage is dependent on what stage of the disease you are in. If you are in the earlier stages, just one injection is enough.

Primary Stage

The primary stage is usually the one that goes neglected. Here, you might have a single sore or multiple sores in a particular area. It will be a painless lesion, which will go away in about six weeks, even without treatment.

However, there is a catch. If the treatment is not administered, then there is a chance that the sore might go on to the next level.

Secondary Stage

In the secondary stage, you will most likely develop a rash on your palms or feet. However, these rashes might be so faint that you might not be able to see it. It is usually reddish brown in colour and shows up after the lesion from the first stage has healed and disappeared.

Other symptoms that you might experience along with the rashes are;

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue

Since it is not necessary that you will experience all the symptoms at once, it is very easy to overlook them.

However, the fact is that even in the secondary stage, the rashes as well as the symptoms may get cured without treatment. In fact, you will not feel any significant discomfort either.

But still, it is critical to recognise the symptoms and treat it, otherwise the infection will reach the chronic stage of the disease.

Last Stage

In this stage, it is very difficult to treat the disease. Chronic cases can lead to insanity and even death.

Other Problems

Syphilis is also known to cause infertility among women. If you are pregnant and have syphilis, then you could pass on the disease to your baby. Depending on the severity of the disease, there is also a high risk of stillbirth.

Remember, your baby may be born without any symptoms of the disease, but if not treated at the earliest, she may develop serious problems during the first few weeks after birth.

How to Know?

If either your partner or you have had sex with multiple people and you experience any of the symptoms mentioned, then get tested at any sex clinic.

• VDRL test: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test
• RPR test: Rapid Plasma Reagin Test
• TPHA test

The RPR and the TPHA are specific tests for syphilis.

Remember, syphilis can be completely cured. However, you must identify it in time. So, if you find any of the symptoms mentioned, visit your doctor immediately.