What should you know about syphilis bacteria?

Treponema pallidum can enter through small breaks in skin or moist lining during sexual contact. It may first cause a sore at the entry site, then later lead to rash, swollen lymph nodes or general symptoms. Transmission can occur when a sore or rash is not obvious.

Untreated infection can move through the body and remain quiet between phases. A person’s symptoms, or lack of symptoms, cannot establish whether the bacterium is present. STI Screening combines exposure history, examination and laboratory tests to guide diagnosis.

Arrange STI Screening after a possible exposure, partner notification, unexplained genital or oral sore, or compatible rash. Avoid sexual contact until you receive advice, and share relevant exposure information with the clinician. If infection is confirmed, take the prescribed Antibiotic Treatment exactly as directed and attend follow-up.

Seek prompt help for eye pain, vision change, hearing loss, severe headache, confusion, weakness or balance difficulty, because syphilis can involve sensitive organs. Pregnancy with possible exposure needs early clinical advice. Sudden neurological symptoms or severe vision loss should be treated as an emergency.

Ask which tests are suitable for timing of exposure, whether partners need testing, what treatment schedule applies, when sexual contact can resume, whether other infections should be checked, and what follow-up symptoms matter.