The clinical symptoms vary depending on the stage. The characteristic sign of primary syphilis is one or more painless sores (skin ulcers) on the genital areas of men and women. In secondary syphilis, the lesions are located at the skin but may be extended to other organs. (brain, heart). In latent syphilis, there are no clinical lesions and the diagnosis is made only with Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) Test. The latent syphilis is distinguished into early latent and late latent syphilis. Tertiary syphilis is extremely rare and occurs if left undiagnosed and untreated to the previous stages.

Treatment

The preferred treatment of Syphilis is mainly penicillin; in case of allergy to penicillin, the Dermatologist / Venereologist prescribes different types of antibiotics.

Statistics

12 million new cases of Syphilis are recorded around the world each year. From 2003 onwards, the number of patients increases mainly due to the increase of economic migrants. The average age of patients with syphilis is young adults ages 20 -24 years. Men are affected more often due to more intense sexual activity.

When should I visit my Dermatologist?

-Once a year for the annual Venereological examination.
-When the condom breaks.
-When I had a sexual intercourse, even oral without a condom.
-If I see anything new in the genital area such as unusual secretions, rashes, etc