Sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum.
It manifests itself as a small, painless sore or ulcer on the genitals, which usually heals on its own after about three weeks. The ulcer can also appear on the mouth, rectum or skin. The lymph nodes near the skin lesion are usually inflamed.
The diagnosis is made by asking specific clinical questions and carrying out a full physical examination. Tests may be done on the fluid secreted by the ulcer and blood tests to look for the syphilis bacterium.
Syphilis infection is treated with antibiotics and the infected person's sexual partners should be treated in the same way, as syphilis is highly contagious in its early stages.
Any genital lesion should be seen urgently so that appropriate treatment can be started immediately, even if the lesion appears to heal on its own.
- Charles B Hicks, Meredith Clement. Syphilis: Screening and diagnostic testing. UpToDate Jul 18, 2016.
- Charles B Hicks, Meredith Clement. Syphilis: Treatment and monitoring. UpToDate Sep 07, 2016.
- Workowski KA, Bolan GA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR Recomm Rep 2015; 64:1.
- Ghanem KG. Management of Adult Syphilis: Key Questions to Inform the 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 61 Suppl 8:S818.
- Kingston M, French P, Higgins S, et al. UK national guidelines on the management of syphilis 2015. Int J STD AIDS 2016; 27:421.
- Sheila A Lukehart. Sífilis. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición. 1132:1140.
- L Olmos. Sífilis. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 12º edición. pp2312:2318.
