Syphilis is not a new disease, but many Nigerians still don’t talk about it. Some people mistake the early signs for “ordinary rash” or “small sore” and ignore them.
The danger is that syphilis quietly spreads through unprotected sex and can even pass from mother to baby during pregnancy, causing miscarriage or serious illness in the child.
The good news is that it’s completely curable with the right treatment, provided you recognize the signs and act promptly.
To truly understand syphilis, let’s start with what causes it and how it affects the body.
What Causes Syphilis
Once inside, it travels through the bloodstream and can reach almost any organ. That is why the disease can damage the skin, brain, heart, and even unborn babies if not treated.
Key points:
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The germ spreads mainly through sexual contact with an infected person.
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Rarely, it may spread through blood transfusion if the blood is not properly screened and tested.
Because the bacteria hide in the body and multiply slowly, symptoms may not show immediately.
How Syphilis Spreads
Syphilis moves easily from one person to another, especially when protection is not used. Most people get infected without even realizing it.
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Unprotected sex - vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has syphilis.
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Skin-to-skin contact with sores or rashes, even if they are painless.
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Mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital syphilis.
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Sharing needles or unsafe blood transfusions (rare today because blood is usually screened).
The tricky part is that syphilis sores are often painless and can appear in hidden areas like inside the mouth, anus, or vagina, making it easy to miss.
Stages & Symptoms of Syphilis
Syphilis doesn’t show up the same way in everyone. It comes in stages, and the signs can disappear for a while even though the infection is still inside the body.
a. Primary Stage
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A single, painless sore (called a chancre) appears on the genitals, anus, or mouth.
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Because it doesn’t hurt, many people ignore it.
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The sore heals on its own, but the infection remains.
b. Secondary Stage
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Skin rash, often on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
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Fever, swollen glands, sore throat, and tiredness.
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Flat, moist growths (condyloma lata) in warm, moist areas like the groin.
c. Latent Stage
d. Tertiary Stage (Late Syphilis)
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If untreated, it can damage the heart, brain, eyes, and nerves.
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May cause paralysis, blindness, memory loss, or even death.
The danger is that many people feel fine in the latent stage, yet the infection is silently causing harm.
Testing & Diagnosis
The only way to be sure you have syphilis is through a blood test. Because the symptoms can look like other illnesses, testing is very important.
Sometimes, if syphilis is suspected in the brain or nerves (neurosyphilis), doctors may also test the spinal fluid.
Early testing saves lives. Don’t wait for symptoms before getting checked, especially if you’re pregnant or have multiple partners.
Treatment
The good news is that syphilis is 100% curable with the right medicine. The primary treatment is a penicillin injection administered by a healthcare professional.
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Early stages (primary, secondary, early latent): a single penicillin injection is usually enough.
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Late stages: several weekly injections may be needed.
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Pregnant women: must be treated with penicillin to protect the baby. If allergic, doctors can safely manage it.
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Neurosyphilis (when the brain or nerves are involved): requires stronger treatment in the hospital.
The treatment only kills the bacteria; it does not reverse damage already done to the body. That’s why early treatment is best.
Also, your partner(s) must be tested and treated to stop reinfection.
Syphilis and HIV
Syphilis and HIV often go hand-in-hand, and having one makes the other easier to catch.
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Open sores from syphilis create a direct entry point for HIV during sex.
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People with both infections may get more severe syphilis symptoms, especially affecting the brain and nerves.
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Anyone diagnosed with syphilis should also be tested for HIV and vice versa.
Prevention
Syphilis can be avoided with the right precautions. Here’s what can be done:
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Use condoms correctly during sex; they reduce risk, though sores outside covered areas can still spread infection.
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Get regular STI checks, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.
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Pregnant women should attend antenatal care early and get screened.
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Treat your partner(s) if you test positive to prevent the infection from spreading back and forth.
Prevention is always easier and cheaper than a cure.
Take-Home Message
Syphilis is still a major public health issue, yet many people don’t realise how close to home it can be.
Greater awareness, honest conversations, and responsible health choices are key to reducing its spread in our communities.
What are your thoughts? Do you think enough is being done in Nigeria to tackle syphilis, or is it still largely ignored?
Researched by Victoria Odueso
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