If you have syphilis, it is important to get treatment right away. Syphilis is a serious infection that can cause permanent damage to your body if it is not treated early.
While syphilis can be treated completely if you act early enough, many people do not get the treatment they need. These are a few things you need to know about treating syphilis.
Syphilis Symptoms Can Be Elusive
Symptoms indicative of syphilis include small sores on the genitals. Oddly enough, these sores might be painless. Additional symptoms of syphilis include aching muscles, sore throat, and small warts. You might think that you have the flu or something similar initially.
If you have been exposed to syphilis, you should get tested even if you do not exhibit any of these symptoms. The condition can often be asymptomatic.
How Doctors Diagnose Syphilis Early
Doctors can often diagnose syphilis early on by conducting a physical exam and taking a sample of your blood. If the doctor suspects that you have syphilis, they will likely order a blood test.
Early diagnosis prevents a variety of other symptoms that can develop if syphilis is left untreated.
Syphilis Treatment Is Simple But Essential
Syphilis is most effectively treated with antibiotics. In fact, penicillin is the most recommended form of treatment for syphilis. If you are allergic to penicillin, there are other antibiotics that can be used as well.
You will likely receive an injection of the antibiotic. You might also need to take pills. The number of doses and required duration of treatment will depend on how long you have had syphilis.
It is important that you finish the entire course of treatment. If you stop taking the antibiotic too soon, the syphilis infection might not be completely eradicated. Additionally, you might develop resistance to the antibiotic, which will make future treatment more difficult.
What Happens If You Don't Treat Syphilis?
If you do not treat syphilis, it can cause mental health issues. Dementia, for example, is a common symptom of syphilis. In severe cases, syphilis can also lead to death. The death results from complications that arise from the infection, such as heart disease.
Get Treatment for Syphilis and Other STDs
If you think you might have syphilis or any other STD, it is important to get tested and treated right away. Waiting too long can impact your life permanently, but this does not have to be the case for you.
For more information about STD treatment, contact a health and medical center in your area.
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