What Are the Complications & Risks of Syphilis?

Complications

Syphilis can cause many types of complications if left untreated:

Congenital Syphilis:

• Anemia
• Deformities
• Developmental delays
• Jaundice
• Seizures
• Development of tertiary syphilis and associated conditions

Pregnancy

• Fetal death
• Infant death
• Miscarriage
• Passing syphilis to the baby during delivery
• Premature birth

Tertiary Syphilis

• Blindness
• Deafness
• Death
• Heart disease
• Mental illness
• Organ and tissue damage
• Untreated syphilis also increases your risk of contracting HIV

Get tested for Syphilis

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. Later stages of the illness could require more aggressive treatment, possibly in a hospital. Act immediately and get tested today!

Get tested for STDs today

Partners and Re-infection

You should refrain from all forms of sexual activity until your body is free from the infection. If you have tested positive for gonorrhea, all your sexual partners should be notified so they can be tested and treated. It is possible to be re-infected, so be sure to use all possible precautionary measures.

Mark Riegel, MD

Posted on Nov 06, 2017. Updated on Nov 28, 2020

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