How long does syphilis last?

Syphilis is an STD that has been around for ages, and it’s not going away anytime soon. For those who are infected with this disease or anyone who is concerned about getting it, knowing how long syphilis lasts and what happens at each stage can help ease some of the anxiety.

What Is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It’s spread through sexual contact with someone who has the disease. The bacteria enter the body through small cuts or abrasions in skin or mucous membranes and can then travel throughout the body via the bloodstream.

Primary Stage

The primary stage of syphilis occurs within 10 to 90 days after infection when sores called chancres appear on or around areas where contracting gets done (how unfortunate). These chancres are usually painless but highly infectious.

Secondary Stage

After a few weeks to several months from getting infected, secondary symptoms may manifest which include rashes on palms of hands and bottom of feet (because why not?), sore throat, fever among others.
At any point during these first two stages treatment should be sought out as untreated infections will eventually progress into late stage that more difficult to treat effectively.

Latent Stage

Without treatment, syphilis remains dormant in your system (hidden) which further leads into latent period lasting up-to four years.During this time theres no visible symptoms manifested however you could still infect other individuals without knowledge though blood transfusion received before diagnosed also count.

Tertiary/Late Stage

It’s crucial health wise for an individual diagonsed with latent/tertiary manifestation(such as soft tissue growths/hair loss/blindness etc.)to seek medical care immediately.Syphilis at such ultimate level could potentially be life-ending.

How Do You Get Syphilis?

The only way to get syphilis is through sexual contact with someone who has it. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

How Long Does Syphilis Last?

To put it simply-It depends on the stage at which one gets diagnosed.Antibiotics are used in its treatment that can prevent progression of primary and secondary stages up-to full recovery.Late/tertiary infections have more severe structural damage which may not be resolved by antibiotics alone .It’s then rendered ultra important for an early diagnosis so medical professionals assess severity of infecion At any stage, syphillis could reoccur even post successful treamtment.

Treatment

Ten-fold points are recurrent when discussing treatments:

  1. Encourage abstinence or practice safe and regular engagement
  2. Antibiotics should be taken as prescribed
  3. Partners whom have had intimacy within a 90 day period must also tested
  4. Follow-up appointments before/after treatment to ensure efficacy
  5. Drugs/Treatment given cannot reverse damage done but rather prevent subsequent episodes/current ones from worsening.
    6.Check your healthcare plan /insurance coverage ahead for possible additional expenses after visitation
    7.Doctors office labs offer privacy rules for patients requesting AVRs-(anonymous venereal disease reporting) should you wish to utilise theirs.
    8.Prolonged intervals between treatments increase health related risks such as HIV etc…
    9.Any time sexual intercourse takes place once more , use adequate levels of protection,
    10.Regular checkups (with great caution during yearling periods) if potentially high-risk

Primary Stage Treatment

For individuals diagnosed with this phase,a simple intramuscular Penicillin G injection (fun fact-you’ll feel like Popeye temporarily#Pain)might suffice.Care giver discretion might prescribe the Macrolide drugs(funnily their names rhyme ‘clarithromycin’).

Secondary Stage Treatment

Intramuscular Penicillin G injections are administered for two (2) weeks with alternative Macrolide prescription.

Latent Stage Treatment

For individuals diagnosed at latent stage , treatment usually includes a dose of long-acting Penicillin also given intramuscularly. The care provider might alternatively use Oral antibiotics which have similar efficacy when used and followed as per directed dosages.

Prevention

The only foolproof means of prevention is abstinence though for those who engage in physical activities, Practising safe measures during intimate enagagements is the best way to avoid acquiring or transmitting syphilis.Other preventive measures include:

  • Using barrier methods like female and male condoms (no mention about dental sores please )
  • Regular Testing
  • Restricting sexual intercourse partners
  • Abstaining from new partner sharing until tested negative medically

Conclusion

Syphilis, like many STDs, can be a harsh reality to deal with but proper education coupled together with taking preventative measure(safe sex)can effectively prevent its transmission.Treatment should never come any later than primary/secondary phase whenever possible because once allowed,it will just get worse.Play it Safe folks((or suffer great bounds))!

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