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What is syphilis?

Dec 02, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, syphilis is a chronic, systemic sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. After diagnosis, proper nursing care and supportive treatment are essential. Medication should be taken in full dosage and for the complete duration as prescribed, with regular follow-up tests to monitor serum indicators and track recovery progress. Sexual activity should be avoided during treatment, and sexual partners should undergo concurrent examination. Maintain cleanliness and dryness of the external genitalia, and change clothing frequently.

Generally, syphilis is a chronic, systemic sexually transmitted disease caused by *Treponema pallidum*, with specific details as follows:

Syphilis is a chronic sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete *Treponema pallidum*, affecting the entire body and potentially persisting for years. This pathogen readily invades multiple organ systems. In its early stages, it causes symptoms such as hard chancres and skin rashes. If left untreated, it progressively damages the cardiovascular and nervous systems and can even be transmitted to the fetus via the placenta, leading to miscarriage or congenital syphilis. Transmission primarily occurs through sexual contact; infection can result when broken mucous membranes come into contact with infectious bodily fluids. In rare cases, it spreads indirectly through contaminated blood or shared personal items such as razors.

After diagnosis, proper care and supportive treatment are essential. Follow medical advice strictly, ensuring full dosage and complete course of medication, and undergo regular follow-up blood tests to monitor recovery. Avoid sexual activity during treatment, and sexual partners should be tested simultaneously. Maintain cleanliness and dryness of the external genital area, change clothes frequently, keep personal items separate, and disinfect them regularly. Eat a light, nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables to boost vitamin intake, and avoid smoking and alcohol. Ensure adequate sleep, engage in moderate exercise to strengthen immunity, and avoid anxiety, which may impair recovery.

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What are the symptoms after syphilis infection?
In general, syphilis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Symptoms vary at different stages after infection and mainly include chancres, inguinal lymphadenopathy, syphilitic rash, mucous patches, and ulcerative lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. Syphilis is highly contagious and poses significant health risks; therefore, individuals experiencing related symptoms should seek timely medical attention and receive standardized treatment.
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What symptoms do family members have after being infected with syphilis from a female carrier?
Chancre: This is a common early symptom of syphilis, characterized by a firm, painless, non-itchy ulcer that typically appears at the site of infection, such as the genitals, lips, or mouth. Family members who come into contact with the infected area may develop similar ulcers at these sites. Lymphadenopathy: After the appearance of the chancre, lymph nodes near the infected area may become swollen.
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What should be done for syphilis patients experiencing circular peeling of the skin on their fingers?
Syphilis patients may develop ring-shaped peeling on their fingers. This condition should be managed through timely follow-up visits to assess disease status, standardized anti-syphilis treatment, enhanced local skin care, avoidance of irritants or injury, and close monitoring of symptom changes. This symptom may be related to active syphilis infection or the body's response to treatment. If peeling is accompanied by ulcers, increased pain, fever, or new rashes in other areas, prompt medical attention is recommended.
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Which department should I visit for testing for HIV and syphilis?
HIV and syphilis testing is available in departments such as dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases (STD), infectious diseases, emergency medicine, preventive healthcare, and general practice. Various departments are capable of conducting relevant screening tests, meeting diverse clinical needs. Individuals with a history of high-risk exposure or suggestive symptoms should seek medical evaluation and testing promptly. Dermatology and STD department: specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
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What does TP positive and RPR negative mean?
TP positive and RPR negative indicates the presence of antibodies against Treponema pallidum in the body, but no current active syphilis infection. This may be due to a past infection that has been successfully treated, or it could represent the very early stage of infection. If there has been high-risk behavior or accompanying skin/mucous membrane lesions, prompt medical evaluation and further testing are recommended. TP refers to the Treponema pallidum antibody test.
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How long after high-risk exposure can HIV and syphilis be ruled out?
For HIV testing, if a highly sensitive antigen-antibody combination test is used, the window period is 2–4 weeks; a negative result at 4 weeks after potential exposure essentially rules out infection. If a standard antibody test is used, the window period is 3–12 weeks, and testing must be negative at 12 weeks post-exposure to fully exclude infection. Regarding syphilis testing, the window period for non-treponemal antibody tests is approximately 4 weeks.
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Is syphilis still contagious after being cured?
In general, whether syphilis remains infectious after treatment depends on the specific treatment course and follow-up test results. It is important to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid unsafe sexual practices, and keep a regular作息 (daily routine) to strengthen the body's immunity. Even after recovery, regular check-ups as advised by a doctor are necessary to prevent reinfection, and any symptoms of discomfort should be evaluated by a healthcare professional promptly.
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Does a positive RPR test always mean syphilis?
After syphilis infection, non-specific antibodies produced by the body can be detected by RPR. If there is a history of high-risk sexual behavior, along with symptoms such as genital ulcers or rash, and the specific antibody test for *Treponema pallidum* (e.g., TPPA) is positive, a diagnosis of syphilis can be confirmed. Untreated syphilis may progress to secondary or tertiary stages, leading to systemic symptoms or organ damage.
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