Syphilis - Secondary
Alternate Names : Secondary Syphilis
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Secondary Syphilis Treatment
The mainstay of treatment of secondary syphilis is antibiotic therapy. The antibiotic of choice is penicillin (which is usually given by injection once a week for three weeks). In individuals allergic to penicillin, doxycycline may be used for a total of two weeks.
After antibiotic treatment, follow-up blood tests (RPR) should be done at 3 and 6 months (and later if needed) to assess whether treatment was effective, as treatment may need to be repeated or additional evaluation performed.
In some individuals, a Jarish-Herxheimer reaction may occur several hours following treatment of secondary syphilis. This is characterized by fevers, chills, malaise, joint and muscle aches, and usually lasts 24 hours.
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