Prompt treatment of syphilis is needed to cure the infection, prevent complications, and prevent the spread of the infection to others.

Antibiotics effectively treat syphilis during any stage.
Antibiotic treatment cannot reverse the damage caused by complications of late-stage syphilis but can prevent further complications from developing.
Follow-up testing for cure is required to ensure that treatment has been effective.
Exposed sex partners need to be examined, tested, and treated for syphilis.

Penicillin is the preferred drug for treating syphilis. 2 Penicillin is the only proven therapy that has been widely used for the treatment of neurosyphilis, congenital syphilis, or syphilis acquired or detected during pregnancy. However, it is very important to tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin. Your doctor will still be able to treat the syphilis but may consult with a specialist on how best to provide the medication.

What To Think About
The treatment of syphilis can be delayed or complicated because its symptoms are very similar to those of many other diseases and are sometimes not recognized. Syphilis has historically been referred to as the great imitator.

Prevention
Self-care can effectively prevent an initial infection of or reinfection with syphilis or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Practicing safe sex to prevent STDs. Limit your sex partners, know whether your partner engages in risky sexual behaviors, and use a condom during sex.

How to use condoms. Check the expiration date of the condom before using it, put the condom on the erect penis before intercourse begins, and remove the condom by pressing on the bottom of the condom (by the hairline) and pulling out while the penis is still hard.

Buying and storing condoms. Buy condoms made in the United States where strict safety standards must be met. Keep the condom in the wrapper until you are ready to use it, and be sure to check the expiration date before using it.

Extra protection for women. The female condom is a tube of soft plastic with a closed end and can be inserted up to 8 hours before sexual intercourse. It cannot be used at the same time as a male condom.

Home Treatment
It is critical that you seek professional health care treatment of syphilis. It is not appropriate to try to treat syphilis on your own. Syphilis must be accurately diagnosed and treated with medications, such as antibiotics, that can only be prescribed by a health professional.

Once you are diagnosed and prescribed medications to treat syphilis, self-care can help you manage symptoms and effectively prevent reinfection with syphilis or another sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Practicing safe sex to prevent STDs. Limit your sex partners, know whether your partner engages in risky sexual behaviors, and use a condom during sex.

How to use condoms. Check the expiration date of the condom before using it, put the condom on the erect penis before intercourse begins, and remove the condom by pressing on the bottom of the condom (by the hairline) and pulling out while the penis is still hard.

Buying and storing condoms. Buy condoms made in the United States where strict safety standards must be met. Keep the condom in the wrapper until you are ready to use it, and be sure to check the expiration date before using it.

Extra protection for women. The female condom is a tube of soft plastic with a closed end and can be inserted up to 8 hours before sexual intercourse. It cannot be used at the same time as a male condom.