Preconception Health Syphilis: The Silent Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
Syphilis is an infection usually spread through vaginal, oral and/or anal sex . Syphilis can also be passed to your baby during pregnancy or birth. Syphilis is curable. Early treatment protects you and your baby.
Would I Have Symptoms?
Many people don't know they have syphilis and have no symptoms.
If symptoms occur:
- A few weeks after infection: a
painless sore may occur on the genitals, mouth, or rectal area and then goes away.
- A few months after infections:
a body rash—which can include the palms of your hands and soles of your feet—may accompany a fever or flu-like symptoms; these also go away..
- Several years after infection: if left untreated, syphilis can cause damage to the brain or the heart or even cause death.
Can it Affect my baby?
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You can feel fine, but your baby can be infected during pregnancy.
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An infection during pregnancy can result in prematurity, miscarriage, stillbirth, or health conditions in the baby.
- Early testing and treatment protect you and a future baby.
What Can I Do if I Have Syphilis?
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Get a blood test to see if you have syphilis, even if you don’t have symptoms.
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Get treated: Certain antibiotics treat syphilis. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment. Stopping treatment early can put your baby at risk.
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Tell your partner(s) and make sure they get treated: Don’t have sex until you are both treated so you don’t pass the infection back and forth.
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Practice safe sex and use a condom: Talk openly to your partner(s) about syphilis and other STIs.
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Get checked for other STIs and HIV.
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Get re-tested 3-6 months after treatment: Blood tests help your provider know if the treatment worked.
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Wait to get pregnant until you are sure your syphilis has been fully treated.
How can I Stay Healthy?
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Talk to your provider about prevention:
- Say something. You deserve care without judgement.
- Some people take medications, such as
HIV PrEP or
doxy PEP, to reduce their risk of getting HIV or a STI.
- If you’ve had STIs before or have multiple partners, you might need testing more than once a year.
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Practice safe sex: Condoms can reduce the chance of getting an STI.
- Use with water-based lubricants (oil-based lubricants will weaken condoms)
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Remember: condoms may not completely cover all sores. If you or your partner have a sore, get tested before having sex.
- Wait to get pregnant until your provider says you have been fully treated.
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