In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that 64% of syphilis presentations involved men who have sex with men. However, the number of cases in heterosexual men and women is also increasing. [medicalnewstoday.com]

If a chancre is present, a scraping from the syphilis sore or fluid from a lesion is taken from the affected area. [livescience.com]

• Unsafe Sexual Practices

  sexual practices Having syphilis once does not mean that a person has protection from it going forward. [medicalnewstoday.com]

• Abnormal Gait

  Symptoms include: dementia or altered mental status abnormal gait numbness in the extremities problems with concentration confusion headache or seizures vision problems or vision loss weakness Congenital syphilis Congenital syphilis is severe and frequently [medicalnewstoday.com]

Related guidelines WHO guidelines for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae WHO guidelines for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis WHO guidelines for the treatment of Genital Herpes Simplex Virus More publications on STIs [who.int]

Treatment for syphilis can be successful, particularly in the early stages. The treatment strategy will depend on the symptoms and how long a person has harbored the bacteria. [medicalnewstoday.com]

The sore usually lasts 3 to 6 weeks and heals regardless of whether or not you receive treatment. Even after the sore goes away, you must still receive treatment. This will stop your infection from moving to the secondary stage. [cdc.gov]

Speak to your healthcare provider if you are living with HIV and taking treatment for syphilis, to make sure that the syphilis medication won’t affect you’re antiretroviral treatment (ART). Photo credit: ©iStock.com/iLexx [avert.org]

With syphilis, there have not been treatment-resistant strains of the bacteria like those that have been observed with gonorrhea, she said. Newly acquired infections can be resolved quickly with treatment. [livescience.com]

It is strongly recommended that countries take updated global guidance into account as they establish standardized national protocols and adapt it to the local epidemiological situation and antimicrobial susceptibility data. [who.int]

In addition, future work will provide guidance for syphilis screening and treatment of pregnant women, STI syndromic approach, clinical management, STI prevention, and treatments of other STIs. [who.int]

How do I prevent syphilis being passed on through sex? Using condoms and dental dams correctly and consistently for sex is the best way to prevent syphilis being passed on. [avert.org]

Curing the infection will prevent further damage to the body, and safe sexual practices can resume. However, treatment cannot undo any damage that has already occurred. [medicalnewstoday.com]

After chlamydia and gonorrhea, it is the third most common sexually transmitted disease reported to the U.S. government, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [livescience.com]