Syphilis treatment available online today

In order to treat your syphilis, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today and get a prescription for antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Get a new prescription to treat syphilis or refill an existing prescription today.*

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Early treatment prevents serious health issues

Take control of your sexual health

Preventable with safe sex and regular check-ups

*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:

    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:

    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

When to see a doctor for syphilis

When detected and treated in the early stages, syphilis is easily curable with antibiotic treatment. Be sure to visit a doctor to get a professional diagnosis and receive treatment when you (or your partner) notice any symptoms such as a painless sore and skin rash.

You should also see a doctor to seek treatment if you are aware that anyone of your current or past sex partners is treating syphilis.

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.

3 simple steps to request treatment for syphilis today 

Step 1

Book a syphilis treatment appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your syphilis symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer. Complete any recommended tests.

Step 3

Pick up a prescription to treat syphilis, if you qualify.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

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.

Syphilis treatment pricing details

How pricing works

To request syphilis treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits

Paying with insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

Copay

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

  • We accept these insurance plans and many more:

    • Humana
    • Aetna
    • United Healthcare

Paying without insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

$129

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.

Book an appointment

If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.

Sources:

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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.