Syphilis: Those painless bumps on your genitals could be a big deal, here’s what you need to know

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It begins with a painless sore, called a chancre, at the site where the bacteria enter the body, such as the genitals, anus, or mouth. If untreated, the infection progresses through several stages.

Syphilis progresses through four stages, each with unique symptoms:

• Primary Syphilis: The main symptom is a single, painless sore or ulcer called a chancre at the infection site, which usually heals on its own within a few weeks but indicates the presence of infection.


• Secondary Syphilis: This stage features a rash on the torso, arms, and legs, mucous membrane lesions (wart-like growths in moist body areas), and flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.


• Latent Syphilis: In this asymptomatic stage, the infection persists without symptoms but can still cause damage if untreated.


• Tertiary Syphilis: If untreated, syphilis can advance to this stage, leading to severe health issues such as damage to the heart, brain, and nerves, and complications like neurosyphilis or cardiovascular syphilis.

Importance: A painless sore might not hurt or seem serious, but it’s an important sign of syphilis. Because it doesn’t cause pain, people often ignore it, but it’s a crucial early warning. Getting checked and treated quickly is important to stop the disease from getting worse.

Testing: The good news is that syphilis can be treated, especially if you catch it early. To test for syphilis, doctors usually do a blood test or look at fluid from the sore. If you have syphilis, you’ll typically take antibiotics like penicillin. Early treatment can cure the infection and stop serious problems from happening.

Prevention: You can prevent syphilis by practicing safe sex, such as using condoms, and talking openly with your sexual partners about STI testing. Regular check-ups and STI tests are also important, especially if you have multiple partners or are at higher risk for STIs.