Tips for dealing with syphilis

Syphilis should be treated as soon as possible since if it is left untreated the infection can spread from the sore into the blood. If the infection enters secondary stage, it can cause several problems like rash, fever, swollen glands, body aches, and sores in the mouth. The antibiotic penicillin is the main treatment for syphilis. Only parenteral penicillin is effective in treatment of this condition. This means that penicillin has to be administered intravenously or injected into the muscle. The oral form of the antibiotic is not effective. If you have had syphilis for one year or less, a single shot of penicillin will work I countering the infection. People who have had the disease for longer than a year will need to take 2 or more shots of the antibiotic. If the infection is in its advanced stage and very severe, the patient is advised to take penicillin shot for up to 10 days. After treatment the patient may experience some reactions like fever, chills, headache, nausea, weakness, muscle aches. Blood tests will have to be conducted at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months to make sure that the infection has cleared up completely. If a patient has penicillin allergy, treatment with other antibiotics may be considered. Only a doctor can suggest the right course of treatment for syphilis.