Syphilis: What is the Treatment of Syphilis?

What is Syphilis?

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Syphilis is an infectious disease, caused by Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted through sexual contact, from mother to fetus or through skin contact from syphilis sore of the affected person. Typically, the patient is found to be afebrile (without fever). The lesion of primary syphilis is called chancre. Chancre presents as a single painless papule that erodes subsequently. These syphilis sores are usually found on penis, external genitalia, mouth or around the anal canal. Regional lympadenopathy is usually associated with primary lesion. Secondary syphilis presents with localized or diffused mucocutaneous rash associated with generalized non-tender lymphadenopathy. Tertiary syphilis results from prolonged inflammatory process that occurs years after the initial lesion.

What is the treatment for Syphilis?

For early lesions- treatment of choice for syphilis sore is a single intramuscular dose of Benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units. Alternative treatment for syphilis is Doxycycline 100 mg (Doxyn, Dotur), twice a day, for 14 days.
If the duration of syphilis infection is more than 14 years, intramuscular Benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units weekly are given for three weeks. Alternative treatment is Doxycycline 100 mg, twice a day, for 28 days.
Neurosyphilis is treated with intravenous Benzyl penicillin 2-4 million units, every 4 hours, for 10-14 days.

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Keywords: Syphilis disease, Syphilis treatment, Primary syphilis, Syphilis sore, Benzathine penicillin, Doxycycline 100 mg