What Everyone Should Know About Syphilis
When it comes to STDs, plenty of people tend to be familiar with conditions such as herpes and HIV. However, few people are fully aware of the risks and ramifications of another disease that is more prevalent than some might think; syphilis. While syphilis is regarded by many as a less common STD, this doesn't take away from the fact that if untreated, syphilis could become a serious life-long problem. As the founder of getSTDtested.com, an online, confidential STD testing company, Tracey Powell thinks that people ought to be aware of the fact that syphilis is actually more widespread than some might otherwise think. In order educate people about this potentially-harmful disease, Tracey offers the following facts about syphilis:
Syphilis comes in stages
Many people infected with syphilis do not experience symptoms for years; however, if left untreated, such people still remain at risk for the more harmful late-stage complications of the disease. The first stage of syphilis usually involves the presence of one or more sores that are small, firm, and painless. These sores generally heal without treatment; a fact that contributes to the spread of syphilis, as most people don't realize that they are infected. The second stage of syphilis involves additional rashes on the body, which can be accompanied by fever, swollen glands, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Similar to the first stage symptoms, these second stage side effects can heal on their own, but without treatment, the infection can progress to the more serious latent and late stages of disease. The latent stage of syphilis can pick up where the second stage left off and last for many years without symptoms; however, if untreated, it can be followed by the late stage of syphilis, which is by far the most serious and detrimental. In the late stage of syphilis, the disease can attack the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, liver, bones, and joints. Those affected by late stage syphilis can experience paralysis, numbness, blindness, and dementia; and the sum total of such bodily damage might eventually lead to death.
Syphilis can be cured in its early stages
The progression of syphilis certainly paints a scary picture; however, syphilis is fully curable and can be easily eliminated if it is discovered in its early stages. A single injection of antibiotics can cure a person who has had syphilis for less than a year. For those who are found to have been infected with the disease for more than a year, additional doses of medication are generally required to manage the condition. While treatment for syphilis is usually effective in preventing additional stages and side effects for infected individuals, it cannot repair damage that has already been done. Since successful treatment options are easily available, people at risk for syphilis should get tested for it on a regular basis to ensure early detection and prevent transmission. getSTDtested.com offers comprehensive Syphilis Tests. Get safe and confidential Syphilis Testing done today.
Syphilis can reoccur
Having syphilis at one point in time does not protect a person from getting infected with it again. Contrary to what some people might think, syphilis is not like chicken pox; it isn't a "one time only" disease. When a person is told that his syphilis has been cured, that statement refers only to the specific infection that was just treated; a re-occurrence is possible if a cured syphilis patient comes into sexual contact with a person infected with the disease.
There's no question about it; syphilis is a serious disease. If you are sexually active and at risk for syphilis, then make your sexual health a priority and get screened regularly. So, it is important for you to get a regular syphilis test. Remember, when it comes to syphilis testing, early detection is the key and the only way to tackle the problem.
