1. What's Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection(STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum that can lead to serious health problems if it's not treated and cured. The signs and symptoms depend on the stage it presents: primary, secondary, latent or tertiary.
2. The transmission routes of syphilis?
Syphilis is usually passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom
Syphilis is passed on from direct contact with the skin or tissues of someone with syphilis.
If you're pregnant, it is possible for syphilis to be passed on to the baby
3. The symptoms of Syphilis
Many people with syphilis will not have noticeable symptoms.
Syphilis goes through different stages. Symptoms depend on the stage.
Primary syphilis (the first stage)
Symptoms include:
· A red lump or firm ulcer or sore (called a chancre)
· Swollen glands.
Secondary syphilis
Secondary syphilis happens when syphilis has spread around the body through the bloodstream.
Symptoms may include:
· A spotty red or reddish-brown rash anywhere on the body.
· A flu-like illness
· Lumps,
· Sores in the mouth, vagina or anus
· Patchy alopecia (hair loss)
Tertiary (late) syphilis
This is the most serious stage. It can affect many parts of the body including the heart and blood vessels, bones, skin, brain and nervous system. This can be life-threatening.
Around 1 in 3 people with untreated syphilis develop tertiary syphilis. This is sometimes more than 20 years after first getting syphilis.
4. Why do I need a syphilis home test?
The symptoms of syphilis at different stages show that the first stage syphilis virus appears on the skin surface and is easy to treat. After being cured, it does no harm to the body.
In the secondary stage, it has spread throughout the body through the blood. In the third stage, it has damaged the heart, blood vessels, brain, etc. Even after being cured, it will cause irreversible damage to the body, especially in the third stage, which can threaten life.
Therefore, the earlier the virus is detected and treated, the less damage it will cause to the body. Syphilis self-testing meets this condition. You can use syphilis self-test kits as an auxiliary screening tool.
You can test at home at any time. It only takes 5 minutes, is quick and easy to operate, and will protect your health.