Syphilis

Learn about syphilis and find information on symptoms, testing, and more.

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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium. You can treat and cure syphilis by taking medication as prescribed.

Contact the Mayor’s Health Line for free, confidential, multilingual health information and referral services at 617-534-5050. The Mayor’s Health Line helps all residents regardless of immigration status or gender identity.

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How to Prevent Syphilis

Syphilis spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Sores can be on or inside the vagina, penis, anus, mouth, lips, or rectum and may not always be seen or felt. People can pass syphilis even if they do not have symptoms. Syphilis can also pass from a pregnant parent to their baby during birth. To help prevent syphilis:

Use a new barrier method every time (like a condom or dental dam) for each sexual act, partner, and when switching between oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Condoms made from “natural” materials (such as lambskin) can help prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For STI protection, use latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene condoms. Check the product label to confirm what type of condom you’re using.
Consider Doxy PEP: Taking doxycycline within 24 hours after sex can help prevent syphilis as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you were exposed or think you may be exposed in the future.
Get tested regularly: Some people with syphilis don’t have symptoms, which is why getting tested and knowing your status is important to stop the spread and get treatment if needed.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, follow cleaning instructions for toys and check for damage, and use condoms on toys.
Understand that having sex while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can increase the likelihood of unprotected sex.

Testing

Some people do not have symptoms or know they have syphilis, which is why it is important to get tested. A healthcare provider usually tests for syphilis using a blood sample. Because untreated syphilis can cause serious problems for a fetus, all pregnant people should be tested. People who are at higher risk for syphilis should get tested regularly so they can receive treatment as soon as possible, if needed.

Free or low cost and confidential testing is available in clinics throughout Boston.

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If you don't have health insurance or don't want to use your health insurance, you can still get tested. Call your healthcare provider to confirm the schedule. Find additional information and locations.
If you are a Boston Public High School student, your school may have a School-Based Health Center or Health Resource Center. According to Massachusetts State Law, if you are 13 or older you can get a confidential STI test without your parents' permission.

Treatment

Can you treat syphilis?

Yes, syphilis is usually treated with antibiotics and can be cured if caught early. This is why it is important to get tested even if you do not have symptoms.

If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health problems. Long term infection without treatment can damage internal organs. In addition, persons with syphilis are up to 5 times more likely to get HIV if exposed.

Should my partner get treated?

Yes, it is important to have all recent or regular sex partners to get tested and treated if needed. They should talk to a healthcare provider about getting tested, even if they do not have symptoms because you can get syphilis again even after treatment.

Can syphilis affect a pregnant person and the fetus?

Yes, syphilis can cause serious health complications for both the pregnant person and the fetus if left untreated. Early screening, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment by a healthcare provider are essential to prevent transmission and reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.

Symptoms

Many people do not have symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may not present themselves for days, weeks, or even years.

For those who do have symptoms, the most common ones are:

Sores or bumps on your mouth, anus, vagina, penis, or testicles (balls)
A rash on your whole body, including your hands and feet
Fever
Swollen glands

Sometimes, these symptoms will go away but the individual will still be able to spread it to others if left untreated. Talk to a healthcare provider about getting tested and treated.

How long can a person spread syphilis?

A person with untreated syphilis can spread it to their partners until treated. Because these symptoms may not be visible, people can pass the infection to others without knowing it. The longer a person with syphilis goes untreated, the higher the risk of serious long term health problems.