Syphilis treatment

Syphilis is a bacterial STI that is highly treatable when detected in time. Without treatment, the bacteria can spread further and cause serious long-term health problems. Therefore, it is important not to delay treatment after a positive test.

The sooner syphilis is treated, the lower the risk of permanent damage to the body. A quick diagnosis and treatment are therefore essential.

How is syphilis treated?

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. The treatment you receive depends on the stage of the infection and how long you have been infected.

A doctor will assess which treatment is most suitable. It is important to complete the full course of treatment and follow all medical advice.

How quickly does treatment work?

The bacteria usually respond well to antibiotics. Symptoms may decrease over time, but that does not mean that the treatment is immediately complete.

Always follow your doctor's instructions and complete the entire course of treatment, even if you already feel better.

Can you fully recover from syphilis?

Yes. When syphilis is detected and treated in time, the infection can be cured.

However, damage that occurred before treatment does not always fully recover. Therefore, it is important not to wait too long to get tested if you have been at risk.

When are you no longer contagious?

You are not immediately no longer contagious after starting treatment.

Always follow your doctor's advice on when it is safe to have sexual contact again. This prevents you from passing the infection to others or getting re-infected.

Does my partner also need to be treated?

If you have been diagnosed with syphilis, it is important to inform recent sexual partners.

Even if they have no symptoms, they may be infected. By informing partners, they can get tested and, if necessary, treated.

Is a follow-up after treatment necessary?

After treatment, a follow-up appointment is often made. During this appointment, a blood test is performed to check whether the treatment has worked well.

It is important not to skip these follow-up appointments, even if you no longer have symptoms.

What happens if syphilis is not treated?

Untreated syphilis infection can progress and eventually cause damage to the nervous system, heart, and other organs.

Because symptoms sometimes disappear on their own, some people think the infection is cured. That is not the case. Without treatment, the bacteria remain present.

Can you get syphilis again?

Yes. A previous infection does not provide lasting protection.

Even after successful treatment, you can get re-infected if you come into contact with the bacteria again.

What can you do yourself during treatment?

During treatment, it is advisable to:

• Use the prescribed antibiotics completely.
• Temporarily refrain from sexual contact according to medical advice.
• Inform recent sexual partners.
• Attend follow-up appointments after treatment.
• Contact a doctor again if you experience new symptoms.

Frequently asked questions about syphilis treatment

Is syphilis curable?

Yes. Syphilis is highly treatable when the infection is detected in time.

How long does treatment take?

That depends on the stage of the infection and the treatment you are prescribed.

Does my partner also need to be treated?

If a partner is found to be infected, treatment is necessary to prevent further spread and reinfection.

Is a follow-up after treatment necessary?

Yes. Blood tests are often used to check whether the treatment has been successful.

Can syphilis disappear on its own?

No. A syphilis infection must always be treated to prevent serious complications.

Prevent complications with timely treatment

Prompt treatment of syphilis prevents the infection from progressing and reduces the risk of permanent health problems. Have you received a positive test result or do you suspect you are infected? Then contact a doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible to start appropriate treatment.