SYPHILIS
Syphilis is a serious STD that is very common at the moment. The first stage of syphilis begins between 9 and 28 days after infection. But sometimes it can take up to 90 days. A small lesion appears at the point of contact of the infection which is called chancre. That may be on the penis or in the anus, vagina or mouth. The chancre is hard but painless. If it’s in your anus or vagina, obviously it cannot be seen or felt and you won’t know you’re infected at first. Anyway, the chancre will go away, but the infection will keep on festering and worsening.
The second stage starts between 9 weeks to 6 months after the infection. You develop a high temperature, a painful throat, headache and painful muscles. You might develop a red skin rash. Sometimes you might not develop the symptoms of this second stage. But if you do, these symptoms also disappear. That doesn’t mean the disease is beaten. Ultimately, after years lying apparently dormant syphilis can seriously and permanently impair the brains, spinal cord, heart and nervous system.
Syphilis can be passed on by vaginal, oral and anal sex without condom (both the giving and receiving partners). Sex with condom is not completely safe because the area where the chancre is, is sometimes not covered by the condom.
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