Syphilis

Question 1

How is syphilis caused?

Answer 1

• by a bacterium that enters the body through tears in mucous membranes in the genital areas

Question 2

How is syphilis spread?

Answer 2

• by direct sexual contact with a person who has an active infection
• by being passed on to a foetus during pregnancy

Question 3

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Answer 3

• by blood tests that test for antibodies to the bacteria that cause syphilis

Question 4

What are the symptoms of the first stage of syphilis?

Answer 4

• a small bump appears on the penis, vagina or cervix soon after infection
• which gradually turns into a painless sore or ulcer that disappears after a few weeks

Question 5

What are the symptoms of the second stage of syphilis?

Answer 5

• similar sores
• a skin rash on other parts of the body
• possible mild fever

Question 6

What are the symptoms of the third stage of syphilis?

Answer 6

• (may occur 10 or more years after infection)
• bacterium by this time will have invaded most parts of the body
• will begin to cause damage to many organs such as the liver, bones, blood vessels and the nervous system

Question 7

How can syphilis be treated?

Answer 7

• easily and successfully with antibiotics

Question 8

What can happen if syphilis is not treated?

Answer 8

• it can be fatal