Tertiary syphilis The last stage of syphilis, the
tertiary stage, is the emergence of symptoms
resulting from the damage that occurred during
the latent stage. Damage is often widespread and
significant, producing symptoms of cognitive dys-
function, blindness, heart disease, kidney disease,
and NEUROPATHY(sometimes called neurosyphilis).
Treatment Options and Outlook
Treatment for syphilis at any stage is penicillin by
injection (or doxycycline for people who are aller-
gic to penicillin). Most people who receive treat-
ment for primary or secondary syphilis recover
completely. Treatment can still cure tertiary
syphilis but the damage the infection has already
caused is permanent. Reinfection is possible; there
is no IMMUNITYfor syphilis. All sexual partners
should be tested so they can receive treatment if
they have syphilis. Primary syphilis carries
increased risk for HIV infection because the chan-
cre gives an easy pathway for the VIRUSto enter
the body.Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
People who have multiple sexual partners and
men who have sex with men have the greatest
risk for contracting syphilis and other STDs. Pre-
cautions such as condom use with all sexual activ-
ity reduce the risk for infection. Early diagnosis
and treatment are essential to prevent complica-
tions and to prevent spreading the infection to
other people.
See also CHLAMYDIA; GENITAL HERPES; GONORRHEA;
HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS(HPV); SEXUAL HEALTH; SEXU-
ALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE(STD) PREVENTION; SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED DISEASES(STDS).356 Infectious Diseases