Can I still be treated late stage syphilis?

Dear Clue me in, 

Some things are better done sooner rather than later, like eating that spinach in your fridge before it goes bad. Similarly, it’s best to get tested for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), early on, when possible. There’s no way to tell you with any accuracy if you had been infectious after five or even twelve years without getting tested. That said, if you did contract it and didn’t receive treatment, there could be potential risks to your health if it is in its later stages. Syphilis itself can be treated at all stages, but the damage it does to the body may not be treatable in later stages. For more information about how syphilis is transmitted and advances read on. 

What is syphilis?  

Syphilis is an STI that’s caused by bacteria. It spreads through direct contact with an infected sore. Unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex with someone who has syphilis can lead to infection and sores or rashes on the anus, genitals, and mouth. That said, syphilis can also be spread in non-sexual ways, like to a fetus during pregnancy if the mother is infected.  

What are the stages of syphilis? 

Each person experiences the disease at a pace and with symptoms unique to them. That said, there are four general stages of living with syphilis. At each stage, taking antibiotics can nip syph in the bud. Yet, if left untreated, each stage will progress to the next stage. 

• Primary syphilis: This phase starts about two weeks after exposure to someone with syphilis and can last until twelve weeks after exposure. This phase is characterized by round and firm sore(s) that spring up at the site(s) where contact was made with someone infected. These painless sores may go away on their own after one to two months.
• Secondary syphilis: Secondary syphilis follows with rashes on the genital, anal, and oral regions. These rashes aren’t itchy, but they can be accompanied by other symptoms like headache, fever, weight loss, swollen glands, hair loss, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches. The rashes often go away regardless of treatment.
• Latent syphilis: During this stage, you often won’t present any symptoms. But just because there aren’t physical signs of infection, doesn’t mean that you don’t have syphilis that can progress.
• Tertiary syphilis: This final stage is the only one where you’re not contagious. While you won’t be passing along the infection to anyone else, you’ll likely be incurring costs to your health.  

What are the effects of untreated syphilis, particularly tertiary syphilis?  

During the tertiary phase of syphilis, it’s possible to develop: 

• Ocular syphilis. This happens when syphilis infects the eye. It can result in pain, changes to vision, and blindness.
• Cardiovascular syphilis. This is an infection of the heart, which can lead to inflammation and weakening of the heart’s walls.
• Neurosyphilis. This is an infection of the brain and spinal cord. It can cause dementia, meningitis, seizures, and hallucinations.
• Ostosyphilis. This infection results in dizziness, vertigo, changes to hearing, and tinnitus.
• Gummatous syphilis. This manifests as growths on the skin, heart, brain, bone, and eyes. 

List adapted from VeryWellHealth 

While syphilis is ultimately curable, the damage that untreated syphilis does to your organs in the form of these secondary infections isn’t reversible. This is why it is recommended you get tested if you become aware of exposure or experience any symptoms.  Testing helps make it possible for you to undergo antibiotic treatment as early on in your infection as possible and prevent syphilis from advancing and causing permanent damage. 

Given the potential health consequences, you might consider checking with a health care provider or your local health department to find free or reduced-cost STI testing. 

Remember that if you do have syphilis, you have a responsibility to tell your past, present, and future sexual partner(s), so that they can take care of their health and prevent any unwanted infections and symptoms.  

Wishing you all the best,