What should you know about rabbit syphilis?

Syphilis is caused by bacteria and can spread through sexual contact with an infectious sore or rash, including contact that does not involve obvious symptoms. It can pass through stages, and signs may disappear while infection remains. Possible signs include a painless sore, a body rash, swollen glands, or later problems affecting the nervous system, eyes, or ears. Symptoms alone cannot confirm or exclude it.

Arrange STI screening if you have a new diagnosis, a partner with syphilis, unprotected sexual contact, or a sore or rash that could be infectious. Tell the clinician about the timing of contact, pregnancy possibility, allergies, medicines, and any symptoms affecting vision, hearing, or the nervous system. Avoid sexual contact until a clinician explains when it is safe and partners have been addressed.

Treatment is prescribed according to the stage and clinical findings. Follow the full plan, return for any requested follow-up testing, and tell recent partners so they can receive medical advice.

Seek urgent medical care for vision changes, eye pain, hearing loss, severe headache, weakness, confusion, or difficulty walking. Arrange prompt assessment for pregnancy with possible exposure, a new genital or mouth sore, a spreading rash, or fever after a sexual contact concern.

Ask which tests you need, whether a partner needs treatment, how long to avoid sexual contact, whether pregnancy changes the plan, and what follow-up symptoms should prompt review.