Fortunately, we can learn enough to protect ourselves and our partners with some basic knowledge. Let's review a few of the important points about syphilis, and then talk about what each of us can do. The same kinds of unprotected sex that put us at risk for HIV also put us at risk for syphilis. This includes unprotected oral, anal and vaginal sex. Early detection can be difficult, but if you know what signs and symptoms to look for in you and your partners, you have a better chance of avoiding transmission and getting early treatment.
Early treatment is important.
If syphilis goes undetected for too long, it can cause irreversible damage. As with HIV, you can't know for sure if you or your partners have syphilis until you get tested. If you're HIV-positive and you contract syphilis, treatment may be more challenging. Like many other infections that we may get in addition to HIV, syphilis can complicate things. Syphilis is treatable and curable.