Here's what happens if syphilis is left untreated

Syphilis can have a huge influence on your health if left undiagnosed and untreated. Fortunately, when caught in time, the appropriate treatment can completely cure the infection.

Dr Indrajith Karunaratne is an extensively trained and skilled consultant in genitourinary medicine with a wide range of expertise, which includes the diagnosis and treatment syphilis. He explains the several ways syphilis is spread, the early and late-stage symptoms as well as treatment.

What is syphilis and how is it spread?

Syphilis is an infection which can make people seriously ill. It can even cause death if left untreated. It is usually transmitted through sexual contact but in rare cases, it can be transmitted by blood transfusions and from mother to child during pregnancy.

The infection is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium which can only be seen under a special microscope. When the infection enters the body, it stays in the body for a long period (usually for years) and is often life-long unless treated with antibiotics. Only a proportion of people can fight the infection off to clear it without the help of antibiotics.

How common is syphilis?

Syphilis, which was very common in the late nineteen and early twentieth century, was almost eradicated since the advent of Penicillin antibiotic. However, it has started to spread widely in developed countries in recent years, especially among people who engage in high-risk sexual activities.

Are there stages of syphilis?

Syphilis has two stages: early-stage and late-stage.

What are the signs and symptoms of syphilis?

Syphilis is known in medical circles as "the great mimicker" as it can mimic a lot of other illnesses. Therefore, it presents with a wide range of symptoms and signs, which makes the diagnosis very challenging. Being a long-lasting infection, it has active phases (where it shows signs and symptoms) and non-active phases (when the infected person does not show any signs or symptoms).

Early-stage syphilis

The first two years of the infection is called the early infection.

A common symptom in early infection is a painless sore or ulcer which can come up in the genital areas or in the mouth. After a few weeks, these ulcers heal (even without any treatment), but it can take a while. A few weeks after the ulcer, a body rash can appear and this can come and go during the first two years of the infection. The rash also clears without any treatment. Other common symptoms in the first phase of the infection are:

• Headaches
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Fever
• Hair loss

Late-stage syphilis

After the first two years, the infection goes into a sleeping phase where the infected person returns to normal for 10 to 20 years, sometimes even 30 years. After this time, serious life-threatening illnesses follow, including ones that affect the heart and nervous system.

How treatable is syphilis?

If syphilis is diagnosed before developing serious complications later in life, it’s completely curable with treatment consisting of penicillin antibiotics.

What happens if syphilis is left untreated?

If left untreated, the majority of people infected with syphilis will go on to develop serious and life-threatening consequences including heart disorders and nervous system disorders

Can damage from late-stage syphilis be treated?

Often, damage from late-stage syphilis is not reversible. However, treatment can stop further progression of the damage at even in its late stage.

Dr Indrajith Karunaratne provides first-class and professional care for sexual health concerns, sexual dysfunction and more - visit his profile.