The main form of transmission of syphilis is through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, due to direct contact with the characteristic syphilis wound that may be present around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips and/or inside the mouth.
Contagion can also occur through contact with the blood or mucous membranes of people infected with the bacteria. Treponema palewhich is the microorganism responsible for the disease.
The symptoms of syphilis depend on the stage of the disease, the first symptom being the appearance of hard chancre, which is a single, hard wound on the skin, which can disappear after 3 to 6 weeks, and symptoms may return if not treated. treated. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor so that the injury can be assessed, diagnosed and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated. See how to identify the first symptoms of syphilis.
Find out more details about syphilis and how it evolves:
How do you get syphilis
The main ways of transmitting syphilis are:
- Sexual intercourse without a condom with a person who has a wound on their skin, whether in the genital, anal or oral region, caused by the bacteria responsible for syphilis;
- Direct contact with blood of people with syphilis;
- Needle sharingin the case of injectable drug use, for example, in which the bacteria present in one person’s blood can pass to another;
- From mother to son through the placenta at any stage of pregnancy and also through normal birth if the baby comes into contact with the syphilis wound.
Syphilis cannot be transmitted through contact with the toilet seat, using objects or touching a doorknob, for example, as the bacteria responsible for the disease cannot survive in the environment.
How to protect yourself
The best way to prevent syphilis is through the use of a condom during all intimate contact, as the condom forms a barrier that prevents skin-to-skin contact and prevents the transmission of not only bacteria, but also fungi and viruses, preventing against other sexually transmitted infections.
Furthermore, you should avoid coming into direct contact with anyone’s blood and not piercing or getting a tattoo in a place that does not have the necessary hygiene conditions, and it is not recommended to reuse disposable materials, such as needles, for example, as it can favor not only the transmission of syphilis, but also other diseases.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for syphilis should be started as soon as possible to prevent the disease from progressing and becoming more serious.
Treatment must be carried out according to the doctor’s instructions, and the use of Benzathine Penicillin is normally recommended, which must be administered intramuscularly as an injection, as this antibiotic is more effective against syphilis bacteria, regardless of the stage of the disease.
The duration of treatment depends on the stage of the disease, so it is important that a doctor is consulted. See how to cure syphilis.
