Why delaying syphilis treatment is dangerous
Syphilis is a serious infection that requires prompt treatment. While the symptoms may seem mild or even absent at first, delaying treatment can lead to severe health complications that are much harder to manage. Understanding why you should not put off treating syphilis is essential for your health and well-being.
The dangers of delayed treatment
Progression to later stages
If syphilis is not treated during its early stages, it can progress to more advanced stages, including secondary, latent, and tertiary syphilis.¹ Secondary syphilis can cause rashes, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, while latent syphilis may have no symptoms at all.² However, even in the absence of symptoms, the infection continues to progress, silently causing damage to your body.
Tertiary syphilis and its complications
Tertiary syphilis is the most severe form of the infection and can occur years after the initial infection. This stage can lead to serious health problems, including damage to the heart, brain, nerves, and other organs.³ Tertiary syphilis can cause conditions like neurosyphilis, cardiovascular syphilis, and gummatous syphilis, all of which can be life-threatening.⁴ Once syphilis reaches this stage, the damage is often irreversible, even with treatment.
Increased risk of HIV transmission
Untreated syphilis can increase your risk of acquiring HIV. Syphilis sores make it easier for the HIV virus to enter the body during sexual contact.⁵ Co-infection with syphilis and HIV is common, and the presence of one infection can exacerbate the severity of the other.⁶ Early detection and treatment of syphilis can help reduce the risk of HIV transmission and improve overall health outcomes.
When to get treated
The sooner you seek treatment for syphilis, the better. Early stages of syphilis can be treated effectively with antibiotics, usually penicillin.⁷ Delaying treatment allows the infection to progress, potentially leading to irreversible damage. If you suspect you’ve been exposed to syphilis or notice any symptoms, don’t wait—get tested and treated immediately.⁸
The First to Know Syphilis Test offers a convenient way to get tested early, allowing you to detect the infection before it progresses to more serious stages. Prompt treatment can prevent long-term complications and protect your overall health.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Syphilis Stages and Symptoms,” CDC.gov.
- Mayo Clinic, “Secondary and Latent Syphilis,” MayoClinic.org.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Tertiary Syphilis Overview,” NIH.gov.
- Mayo Clinic, “Neurosyphilis and Cardiovascular Syphilis,” MayoClinic.org.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Syphilis and HIV Coinfection,” CDC.gov.
- World Health Organization (WHO), “Syphilis and HIV Transmission,” WHO.int.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Syphilis Treatment Guidelines,” CDC.gov.
- Mayo Clinic, “Importance of Early Syphilis Treatment,” MayoClinic.org.