Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It is passed along through direct contact with a syphilis sore in the genital area, rectum or mouth, which people commonly do not notice. One medication has been the primary treatment for syphilis since the 1940s.
Early Stage Cure
In its early stages, syphilis is easy to eliminate with one intramuscular injection of the antibiotic penicillin. Oral penicillin is not effective against this disease.
Second Stage Symptoms
The only symptom in the first stage is a small sore. Depending on the severity of stage two symptoms that occur several weeks later, the person may not realize he has a serious illness. Stage two symptoms can include a rash, fever, malaise, loss of appetite, muscle aches, joint pain and enlarged lymph nodes.
Latent-Stage Treatment
Once these symptoms pass, syphilis goes dormant for several years. It may be detected on a blood test, in which case the individual will receive either a single penicillin injection or multiple doses.
Third-Stage Treatment
Third-stage syphilis can cause damage to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, as well as to bones and skin. Penicillin treatment will eliminate the syphilis but cannot repair any other damage.
Other Options
For people allergic to penicillin, physicians prescribe other types of antibiotics to treat syphilis.
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