Syphilis: How You Can Protect Yourself

Syphilis is just one of many sexually transmitted diseases that seem to continually plague mankind. Syphilis is a disease that is spread through sexual contact or even through open sore contact with a person that has this disease and has a skin rash. If you have an open wound or a sore in your mouth and you engage in oral sex with someone who has syphilis, you stand a good chance of getting this disease. Syphilis can also be passed on to an unborn child if the mother happens to have this sexually transmitted disease while pregnant.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can prove to be fatal. There are treatments for this ailment, and the success of the treatment is often dependent on how soon you discover that you are infected. Penicillin is often used to treat syphilis and the duration that the treatment is used is often dependent on how serious a person’s infection is at the start of the treatment.

Prevention is Better than a Cure

While there are cures for syphilis available to those who need it, preventing yourself from getting it is much better. Here are some tips on how you can protect yourself from getting this sexually transmitted disease.

1. Abstinence from sex. This is probably the safest way for you to prevent yourself from getting syphilis. Abstaining from sexual contact will help keep you from getting this disease. Abstinence means no anal, oral, or vaginal sex. This may also be the most difficult way to avoid syphilis especially if you are a sexually active individual.
2. Use of condoms. This is another way you can protect yourself from syphilis. If you want to engage in vaginal sex, you can use either the male or female condoms that are readily available. If you are to engage in anal sex, the use of the male condom is the only available option. People who engage in oral sex but want to avoid getting syphilis from their partners should use what is called a dental dam or even a male condom to help prevent them from getting the illness.
3. Monogamy. Practicing monogamy can help stem the spread of syphilis and can help protect you from getting it. Monogamy has to be practiced with your partner after both of you have tested negative for syphilis. You may need to have a talk with your partner about this and if your partner objects to being monogamous or if you suspect that your partner is saying that they will be monogamous but they are not, protect yourself with the use of a condom.
4. Regular doctor visits. If you and your partner do not practice any of the safe sex techniques mentioned above, it would be best if you saw your doctor regularly for pelvic exams and other similar tests. Your doctor can test you for any of the known sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, and you can exact a cure as soon as possible should you find that you are infected.

By: James Pendergraft