Syphilis - Primary
Alternate Names : Primary Syphilis
 See all Pictures & Images
Primary Syphilis Treatment
Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin G benzathine, doxycycline (for patients who are allergic to penicillin), or tetracycline (for patients who are allergic to penicillin). Duration of treatment depends on the extent of the syphilis and factors, such as underlying health of the patient.
Syphilis during pregnancy: Penicillin is recommended as the only real drug of choice. Tetracycline cannot be used because of toxicity to the fetus, and erythromycin may fail to prevent congenital syphilis in the fetus. Penicillin-allergic individuals should ideally be desensitized, then treated with penicillin.
Several hours following the treatment of early stages of syphilis, individuals may undergo a reaction called Jarish-Herxheimer reaction. Symptoms of this reaction include:
These symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours.
Follow-up blood tests must be done at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to ensure the infection has been eliminated. There must be abstinence from sexual conduct until two follow-up tests have indicated that the infection has been cured. The sexual partner should also be treated. Syphilis is extremely contagious in the primary and secondary stages.
|
