Worried After a Hookup? Let’s Dive Deep into Syphilis!
2025-8-22
Syphilis, also known as “the great pox,” remains a global health concern. In its early stage, patients typically develop a painless ulcer called a chancre at the infection site which is the first sign of the disease. If left untreated, these painless ulcers may heal on their own and give a false sense of recovery. However, the bacteria (Treponema pallidum) linger in the body and spread to other parts silently, causing greater harm. Early testing and treatment are crucial for controlling the condition and preventing its spread.
1. 梅毒是甚麽
2. 常見病徵以及梅毒的潛伏期
3. 梅毒的傳播及成因
4. 梅毒檢測方法
5. 梅毒的治療*
6. 常見問題
1. What Is Syphilis
Syphilis, also called “the great pox.” It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can affect the entire body, including the skin, mucous membranes, nervous system, and internal organs. Early symptoms typically include painless ulcers at the site of infection (e.g. genitals, mouth, or anus). If untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease or neurological damage. Besides, syphilitic ulcers significantly increase the risk of contracting HIV and higher risks of other STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia and genital herpes. However, with early detection and treatment, syphilis can be completely cured.
2. 常見病徵以及梅毒的潛伏期
Syphilis is a chronic, systemic infectious disease with complex and highly variable symptoms. It often forms lesions at sites of broken skin or mucous membranes and then spread throughout the body, affecting various organs and tissues. Some patients may not show any clinical symptoms. Syphilis symptoms are generally divided into three stages, with similar symptoms in both men and women.
Ranges from 9 to 90 days, during which patients may have no symptoms.
Primary Stage (10–90 days after exposure):
• 受感染部位會出現不痛的潰瘍（俗稱下疳）。潰瘍通常出現在生殖器官附近，有時也會出現在不易被發現的地方，例如女性的潰瘍可能隱藏在陰道內。
• 即使未經治療，潰瘍也會自行癒合，然而病原體仍會持續潛伏於體內。隨後，梅毒螺旋體將透過血液和淋巴系統擴散，最終引發第二期梅毒症狀。
Secondary Stage (6–8 weeks after chancre appears):
• 患者的手背、腳底、腹部或生殖器可能出現不痛不癢的紅斑；同時也可能出現感冒的症狀。即使未經治療，第二期病徵也會逐漸消失。但患者並非康復，只是進入梅毒隱性期。
Tertiary Stage (months or even years later):
• 梅毒螺旋體逐漸影響患者的腦部、脊髓及心臟，引致失明、癱瘓甚至死亡。
無徵狀感染者也會傳播疾病。另外要注意的是，無論哪一期，若未妥善接受治療的孕婦都可能將梅毒傳染給胎兒，造成嚴重的後果。定期檢查是關鍵，無論是自己或性伴侶都應作出檢查，預防勝於治療，若有懷疑，請盡快作出檢測。
Learn more about INDICAID STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Urine Test and others test:
3. 梅毒的傳播及成因
梅毒的成因是感染梅毒螺旋體，一種細長、螺旋狀的細菌，這種細菌無法在體外存活，只能通過直接接觸傳播。感染的主要原因包括：
- Unprotected Sex:Unprotected sexual activity (without condoms) is the primary transmission route.
- Mother-to-Child Transmission:Pregnant women with syphilis may pass the bacteria to their fetus, leading to congenital syphilis.
- Blood Contact:n rare cases, transmission occurs through contact with infected blood (e.g. via blood transfusion or shared needles). Treponema pallidum does not spread through casual contact (e.g., sharing utensils or handshakes) or through air.
- Direct Contact:Contact with an infected person’s ulcers or rashes, especially on mucous membranes. However, syphilis does not spread through casual contact (e.g. sharing towels or toilets), air, water, or mosquito bites. Using condoms significantly reduces the risk of infection but it’s not foolproof, as ulcers may appear on non-genital areas.
Syphilis is highly contagious, and sexually active individuals may unknowingly contract or spread it. The disease is mainly transmitted through bodily fluids or skin contact (typically with an infected person’s genital area). Regular STD testing, sharing results with partners, and using protective measures like condoms are recommended to reduce risk. Pregnant women should get tested for syphilis during pregnancy to protect their newborns.
4. 梅毒檢測方法
梅毒檢測是早期診斷的關鍵，在香港也有多種檢測方式：
- Blood Testing:The most common method, which detects antibodies produced in response to Treponema pallidum to confirm infection.
- Urine Testing:Detects Treponema pallidum-specific DNA or RNA in urine samples which is convenient and highly accurate.
性活躍人士大概3至6個月做一次性病檢查或在更換性伴侶後檢查。即使無徵狀，定期性病檢查亦非常重要。
5. Syphilis Treatment
梅毒可透過抗生素治療完全治癒，尤其是早期：
- Preferred Treatment: Penicillin injections are the standard treatment which is effective for all stages. The dosage and duration will be adjusted based on the stage (primary, secondary, or late).
- Alternative Options: For those allergies to penicillin, oral antibiotics like doxycycline or tetracycline may be used.
- Congenital Syphilis: Newborns require specialized antibiotic treatment.
During treatment, patients should avoid sexual activity to prevent transmission. Regular follow-up visits are needed to ensure the pathogens are cleared. Whether a patient's sexual partners need treatment depends on the timing of exposure and the stage of infection. Therefore, please consult your doctor for details.
Syphilis isn’t something to fear if you stay informed and take preventive steps like regular testing. Don’t let shame stop you from addressing it—delaying can lead to missing the best treatment window. If you suspect an infection, avoid self-medicating and follow a doctor’s instructions for the best recovery.
