The tertiary or third stage may not develop for between three and 30 years. At this stage the person is not infectious but the disease can affect any organ and the symptoms may mimic almost any other disease.
During pregnancy, a woman may transmit the infection to the child if she is in the primary or secondary stage of syphilis.
The diagnosis can be established by taking smears from the primary or secondary lesions and examining them under the microscope. As well, there are a number of blood tests which can reveal the diagnosis but these take several weeks to become positive.
The organism causing syphilis is highly sensitive to penicillin, usually given daily, by injection, over 10 or more days. Sometimes, the long-acting penicillin injections may be used.
Oral penicillins are not effective and should not be used. For those who are sensitive to penicillin, the tetracycline antibiotics given by mouth are used but must be taken in an adequate dose for about two weeks.
Follow-up blood tests are also necessary to be certain of cure. Once cured, there are no after effects.
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