The drug is usually administered by injection, as oral forms may not be as effective. However, if the disease progresses to the third stage, it can cause irreversible damage to the heart and nervous system. A person infected with syphilis should also have regular follow-up blood tests for atleast a year after treatment. In all stages of syphilis, proper treatment will cure the disease, but in late syphilis, damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed. A person s joints may be affected, resulting in arthritis.
Cardiovascular syphilis can cause heart disease.
Neurosyphilis, can result in paralysis, blindness, senility, psychiatric problems or loss of sensation in the legs. If a pregnant woman transmits the disease to her baby, it could result in a stillbirth. Babies born with syphilis may develop symptoms two weeks to three months after birth. Care must be taken in handling an infant with congenital syphilis because the moist sores are infectious. Any contact with these infectious sores and other infected tissues and body fluids must be avoided to prevent spread of the disease.