Syphilis Treatment: Get Treated for Syphilis Today

*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how you can save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all syphilis cases. Our primary and urgent care physicians can initially evaluate your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, please feel free to seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Learn about syphilis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fact sheet, syphilis a common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. A sexually active person can contract syphilis through contact with syphilis sore during sexual activity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), syphilis is one of the curable sexually transmitted diseases, but if left untreated, can progress into serious health problems. Untreated syphilis progresses in the following four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has different signs and symptoms.

Syphilis causes

Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. An infected person can spread the bacteria to his/her sexual partners during vaginal, anal or oral sex, when the partner comes into contact with the syphilis sore.

Syphilis can spread from a mother to her unborn baby, during pregnancy. This is also called congenital syphilis.

Syphilis cannot spread through casual contact with objects, like toilet seats, eating utensils, doorknobs, hot tubs, and clothing.

Syphilis symptoms

Symptoms of a syphilis infection depend on the stage of infection. There are four known stages of syphilis.

Primary Stage

Primary syphilis develops within the first few weeks (2 - 12 weeks) after exposure. During this primary stage, a small, red sore called a chancre develops at the spot where the bacteria entered your body. The chancre is typically painless, so most people don't even realize it is there. Also note that, while most people develop one sore, some people can develop several sores. Chancre goes away on its own in a few weeks or months. If left untreated, primary syphilis can progress into secondary syphilis.

Secondary stage

Secondary syphilis develops within a few weeks after the chancre has healed (or even when it is healing). During the secondary stage, skin rashes can develop over the entire body, even on the palms and soles (bottoms) of the feet. The rash looks red/reddish brown and are not itchy. In addition to the skin rashes, other symptoms that may be present in the secondary stage include:

Fever
Sore throat
Headaches, Muscle aches
Fatigue

Together with the skin rash, these symptoms can come and go for months or years. At this stage, you can still cure syphilis with treatment. If left untreated, secondary stage syphilis can progress into latent syphilis.

Latent stage

The latent syphilis stage is also known as the hidden stage, as there are no observable signs and symptoms during this stage. However, note that the infection can continue to cause damage to your heart, bones, nerves and organs. Latent syphilis can last for years.

Tertiary stage

When left untreated, some people progress from latent syphilis into tertiary syphilis. During tertiary syphilis, syphilis can cause damage to your internal organs such as eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, joints, even brain and nerves. The health complications from these damages can even result in death. It is important to get syphilis diagnosed and treated.

How to treat syphilis

Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. As such the most effective treatment is antibiotics injection, usually penicillin. Please note that the first line of treatment for severe cases is an injection of penicillin given by a licensed healthcare provider. Our doctors can refer you to a local specialist for this in-person treatment.

If you have penicillin allergy, your doctor may suggest penicillin desensitization or in some cases, alternatives to penicillin.

Syphilis medication

For primary, secondary and early stage latent syphilis, doctors will prescribe a single injection of Benzathine penicillin G. This must be administered in a hospital setting. For late latent syphilis, the recommended treatment guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states three separate doses at weekly intervals.

If you have an allergic reaction to penicillin, your doctor can try penicillin desensitization. In some cases, alternatives to penicillin maybe tried:

Doxycycline

Ceftriaxone

Z-pack

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that there are limited clinical data to support the use of these alternatives, and the data are restricted to primary and secondary stages only.

How to prevent syphilis

The best way to prevent contracting syphilis is avoid sexual contact. However if this is not possible, practice safe sex every time you are engaging in sexual activity. Any sexually active individual has certain risk of catching syphilis. You're most at risk if:

you have a new sexual partner, since you may not yet know of the sexual history of your new partner
you do not practice safe sex, e.g. engage in unprotected sex
you have multiple sex partners
you have a sex partner with a sexually transmitted infection
you commonly share sex toys

Syphilis treatment FAQs

How can I reduce the risk of getting syphilis?

The best way to prevent contracting syphilis is avoid sexual contact. However if this is not possible, use a male latex condom or a female polyurethane condom consistently during each sexual interaction. In addition, if you are consistently with a partner who has been tested and does not have syphilis, you also reduce the risk of getting syphilis.

How is syphilis spread?

An infected person can spread syphilis to his/her sexual partner during vaginal, anal or oral sex, when the partner comes into contact with the syphilis sore. Syphilis can also spread from a mother to her unborn baby, during pregnancy.

Syphilis cannot spread through casual contact with objects, like toilet seats, eating utensils, doorknobs, hot tubs, and clothing.

Is there a cure for syphilis?

Yes, syphilis is curable with the right antibiotics, which can be prescribed by PlushCare doctors. However, treatment might not undo any damage the infection can cause.

Can I get still get syphilis after receiving treatment?

Yes, even after successful treatment, you can get syphilis again. You do not gain immunity from contracting syphilis the first time. Follow-up testing by a healthcare provider is necessary to make sure your treatment was successful. To reduce your risk of contracting syphilis again, practice safe sex, such as using a condom every time you engage in sexual activities. In addition, if you are consistently with a partner who has been tested and does not have syphilis, you also reduce the risk of getting syphilis.

Does having syphilis affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

Pregnant women with syphilis can pass the infections to their babies (congenital syphilis). The infection can happen through the placenta or during birth. Syphilis can cause premature births or still births. Babies born with syphilis can have rash on palms of their hands and the soles of their feet. Later, the infection can cause health conditions such as deafness, teeth deformities, etc. Pregnant women should get tested for syphilis during pregnancy.

Related conditions to syphilis

Neurosyphilis

Neurosyphilis is when syphilis causes damage to the central nervous system. This can occur at any stage of syphilis. According to CDC, in the beginning, the nervous system damages can result in neurological issues such as cranial nerve dysfunction, meningitis, stroke, and altered mental status. Later, neurological issues such as tabes dorsalis and general paresis can occur.

Ocular Syphilis

Ocular syphilis is when syphilis causes damage to the visual system. This can occur at any stage of syphilis. Issues such as posterior uveitis, panuveitis, anterior uveitis, optic neuropathy, retinal vasculitis, and interstitial keratitis can occur in patients infected.

Otosyphilis

Otosyphilis is when syphilis causes damage to the auditory system. Issues such as sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo can occur.

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Sources:

PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.

Planned Parenthood. "Syphilis." Planned Parenthood, Accessed October 23, 2023, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/syphilis.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "Syphilis." NIAID, Accessed October 23, 2023, https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/syphilis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "About Syphilis." CDC, Accessed June 17, 2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/syphilis/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm
Cleveland Clinic. "Syphilis." Cleveland Clinic, Accessed October 23, 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4622-syphilis.
Mayo Clinic. "Syphilis - Symptoms and Causes." Mayo Clinic, Accessed October 23, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351756.

PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

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