As one of the oldest sexually transmitted infections in the world, syphilis has become misunderstood over time. Though most people are vaguely aware of what syphilis is, a lot of misconceptions persist. We’ll unpack common myths about syphilis and what you can do to protect yourself from it.

Understanding Syphilis

Simply put, syphilis is a bacterial infection that most commonly spreads through sexual contact. It usually involves painful sores, and if left untreated, can eventually start to damage bodily organs. While that might sound serious, syphilis today is easy to treat and rarely dangerous when caught early.

A Common and Curable Infection

Syphilis is a common infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that it affected around 8 million people aged 15 to 49 in 2022. Thanks to antibiotics, it’s very treatable. Most people who get syphilis take a simple course of medication and experience no long-lasting issues. 

How Transmission Happens

Syphilis spreads anytime the bacteria that cause it get into a person’s bloodstream. Usually, this happens when a person with open syphilis sores touches another person’s genitals. However, the bacteria can travel through any open wounds or mucous membranes.

Can You Get Syphilis From Oral Sex or Kissing?

The majority of syphilis cases come from anal or vaginal sex. However, in rare cases, syphilis can be transmitted through oral sex or other types of sexual contact. Contracting syphilis through kissing is even rarer than contracting it through oral sex, but it does occasionally happen.

Chances of Getting Syphilis From One Encounter

It’s possible to get syphilis from just one sexual encounter. Condoms reduce the spread of syphilis but do not prevent it. Each time you have sex with a person who has syphilis sores, you have a 10% to 30% chance of contracting it. 

Understanding Risk Levels

Certain activities make it easier for syphilis to spread. These are some things that can increase your risk of contracting syphilis:

• Being male
• Being a man who has sex with other men
• Regularly having sex without a condom
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Not getting regularly tested for STIs

Symptoms of Syphilis

Knowing what signs to look out for can help you reduce your risk of dealing with the serious side effects of syphilis. However, keep in mind that this infection is sometimes symptomless.

Some signs you might need to get checked for syphilis include the following:

• Ulcer-like sores on your body, especially around your genitals
• A rash that appears red and rough and usually isn’t itchy
• Wart-like sores around your genitals or mouth
• Flu-like symptoms like fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes

The Stages of Syphilis Explained

As syphilis progresses, it affects your body in different ways:

• Stage One: The first stage involves a small, painless sore near the spot on your body where you came into contact with syphilis. This usually heals within three to six weeks.
• Stage Two: During this stage, you can get a rash that covers more of your body. You may also have flu-like symptoms like a sore throat and fatigue.
• Latent Syphilis: After a few months with syphilis, symptoms usually go away for a while. The bacteria will lie dormant in your body for 10 to 30 years.
• Stage Three: If syphilis goes untreated for decades, it moves into the third stage, where it can begin to damage your brain, spinal cord, kidneys, liver, and other organs.

How to Prevent Syphilis

The best way to prevent syphilis is to stay informed about your health and your partners’ status. Regular syphilis testing and having sex only with partners who get regular testing are the best ways to prevent syphilis. You can also lower your rates of syphilis by only having protected sex with condoms, but remember, this isn’t foolproof.

Practical Prevention Steps

Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of getting syphilis:

• Get tested for STIs every three months.
• Visually inspect new partners to see if they have any sores.
• Ask your partners to get tested before having sex with them.
• Use condoms and dental dams when having sex.
• Talk to a healthcare provider about preventive options and regular STI screenings as part of your ongoing sexual health routine.

Learn about preventive medication you can take to lower risks after unsafe sexual encounters.