What Happens When Syphilis is not Treated?
This STI can do damage to different areas of your body when you fail to deal with it on time. Whatever harm it does might be permanent.
The parts of the body the infection could damage include:
- The brain
- Eyes
- Liver
- Blood vessels
- Heart
- Bones, including teeth
- Joints
Essentially, internal organs are at significant risk with untreated syphilis, which also greatly increases the risk of having HIV.
A pregnant mother with an untreated infection may also pass it on to her baby. This could result in a miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects.
Read Also: HPV: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Treatments and Prevention
How to Prevent Syphilis
Since sexual contact is responsible for the vast majority of syphilis cases, the best way to prevent an infection is through abstinence.
A condom or dental dam can help to reduce the likelihood of becoming infected. This is considered the best option for people who are sexually active, although it may not totally prevent an infection.
Use a new condom or dental dam whenever you want to have sex. Make sure that this covers any sores or rashes that might be present.
Having only a single, faithful partner will also help for prevention.
We should mention that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills do not protect against syphilis. You may want to speak with your doctor for proper guidance.
References
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