The use of a condom is essential to protect yourself and your partners against STDs. If you have any concerns, you should have an STD screening test. In the event of an infection, follow the treatment correctly and inform your sexual partners.
Most syphilis infections do not cause any visible symptoms.
The infection develops in 4 stages, of which the first 2 are contagious.
Most commonly, syphilis starts with one or more painless sores on the skin or mucous membranes (penis, glans, testicles, clitoris, vagina, anus, nipples, rectum, lips, mouth, throat) which disappear without treatment after 3 to 6 weeks.
Without treatment during the primary stage, the infection will then enter the secondary stage.
- A rash (frequently on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet)
- Possibly joint and muscle pain
- Flu-like syndrome (fever, swollen tonsils, headaches and sore throat)
- (and/or) hair loss in patches
These symptoms will disappear without treatment but the infection is still present.
If left untreated the disease will reach the 3rd stage called the “latent” stage
There are no symptoms of infection during the latent stage, but there is a risk of developing tertiary syphilis if the infection is not treated. The latent stage can last for years.
at this stage, the infection is no longer contagious but the bacteria are active, multiply and spread throughout the entire body, causing severe lesions of the vital organs and central nervous system (heart, brain, eyes, bones).
During the last phase of a syphilis infection the following can be observed:
- the appearance of skin tumours or testicular tumours
- tumours in other tissue
- cardiovascular symptoms (aortic aneurysm, aortic valve insufficiency)
- degenerative central nervous system disease (dementia, tremors, loss of muscle coordination)
Sciensano compiles two reports each year documenting the evolution of STDs in Belgium. The reports are based on data-collection networks.