- Syphilis is caused by bacteria called Treponema pallidum.
- Syphilis can be passed from one person to another during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- If you are pregnant and have syphilis, you can give it to your baby.
- Early symptoms can include a sore in the genital area, around the anus, or in or around the mouth.
- As syphilis progresses, you can get swollen lymph nodes, rash, and/or fever.
- Syphilis can cause eye infection with pain, light sensitivity, flashes, floaters, and/or redness. This can lead to vision loss and even blindness.
- Syphilis can cause ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or headaches with neck pain.
- After years of infection, syphilis can cause stroke, nerve damage, memory loss, or even damage to your heart and blood vessels.
- Syphilis can cause stillbirth or serious health problems in your baby.
- Syphilis is detected through a simple blood test.
- Because of the rising rates of syphilis in Colorado, any person who is sexually active between ages 15-44 should be offered a one-time testing.
- All pregnant people should be tested at the first prenatal visit, in the third trimester, and at delivery.
- Sexually active men who have sex with men should be tested at least once a year but may need testing up to every 3-6 months depending on risk factors.
- Transgender and gender-diverse people should be tested at least once a year.
- Sexually active people living with HIV should be tested at first HIV visit and at least once a year.
- Anyone who is tested for a sexually transmitted infection
- If you are exposed to a partner with syphilis, you should be seen by a health care provider.
- Syphilis is usually treated with an antibiotic injection.
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about notifying partners and when you can have sex again.
- Discuss timing of follow-up testing with your health care provider.
- If you are diagnosed with syphilis, you should consider using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
- Free treatment is provided at the Denver Sexual Health Clinic. You can schedule a visit by calling 303-602-3540.