Syphilis medication is prescribed through online consultations.
Order onlineWhat is Syphilis?
Syphilis is an infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, primarily transmitted through sexual contact. In recent years, the number of infected individuals has rapidly increased domestically, with a rise in reported cases across various age groups and genders, not limited to specific demographics.
Mona offers online consultations for syphilis treatment. After purchasing your desired medication, we conduct a medical questionnaire and a video consultation with a doctor. If deemed appropriate for prescription, the medication will be prescribed and shipped (private medical care).
We also sell at-home STD testing kits.
Main Routes of Infection
- Sexual intercourse (genital-to-genital)
- Oral sex (infection from lesions on the lips/oral cavity)
- Anal sex
- Kissing (if there are oral lesions)
- Mother-to-child transmission (congenital syphilis via the placenta)
Stages of Syphilis Progression
| Stage | Approximate Timeframe | Main Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (Stage 1) | 3-6 weeks post-infection | Painless sore (chancre) appears at the site of infection (genitals, lips, anus, etc.). Often overlooked as it disappears naturally. |
| Secondary (Stage 2) | 3 months - 3 years post-infection | Rash all over the body, including palms and soles (roseola), fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes. |
| Latent | After Stage 2 | Symptoms disappear, but the infection continues to progress within the body. |
| Tertiary/Quaternary (Late) | Several years post-infection | Severe damage to the heart, blood vessels, nerves, brain (e.g., gummas, aortic aneurysm, neurosyphilis). |
Symptoms in Stage 1 and Stage 2 may disappear naturally, but this does not mean the infection has been cured. Without treatment, the infection will continue to progress within the body.
About Testing
Syphilis is diagnosed with a blood test (syphilis serology tests such as RPR and TPHA). Immediately after infection, it can take time for antibodies to be detected (window period), so if the risky behavior occurred recently, retesting after some time may be necessary.
When can I get tested for syphilis? (目安)
Syphilis blood tests detect antibodies in the body, so there is a "window period" immediately after infection when accurate results are difficult to obtain. Knowing the approximate timing for testing can help in interpreting the results.
- Approximately 3-6 weeks after infection: Antibodies are said to start being detected around this time. Testing immediately after infection may result in a negative (false-negative) result.
- For more reliable results: It is generally thought that testing approximately 4 weeks, preferably 6-8 weeks, after potential exposure to infection yields more stable results.
- Even if negative early on: If you remain anxious or have symptoms, retesting after a period of time is recommended.
If you have symptoms such as sores or rashes, or if you have had contact with someone who may be infected, please consider consulting a medical institution without waiting for the optimal testing time. Also, tests immediately after infection may be negative, so retesting after a period of time may be necessary.
How to differentiate Syphilis Rash from Acne/Eczema
Approximately three months after infection, reddish-brown to pink rashes (roseola) may appear on the palms, soles of the feet, and trunk. Rashes at this stage can resemble acne, eczema, or heat rash, making self-diagnosis difficult. Please use the following tendencies as a guide:
| Aspect | Tendencies of Syphilis Rash (Stage 2) | Tendencies of General Acne/Eczema |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Can appear on palms and soles (areas where acne typically doesn't appear) | Mainly on oily areas like face, chest, and back |
| Itchiness/Pain | Often not accompanied by itchiness or pain | Can be accompanied by itchiness or pain |
| Pus | Generally does not contain pus | Can have white pus |
| Spread | Can spread symmetrically across the entire body | Tends to remain in specific areas |
| Other symptoms | Can be accompanied by mild fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss | Often only skin symptoms |
If you have a rash on your palms or soles, if it looks different from your usual acne, or if the rash is accompanied by a mild fever or fatigue—such cases may indicate the possibility of an infection, including syphilis. Since visual judgment alone is not reliable, if you have a rash on your palms or soles, if it looks different from your usual acne, or if the rash is accompanied by fever or fatigue, there is a possibility of an infection including syphilis. Since it is difficult to determine by appearance alone, please consider getting tested or consulting a medical institution.
What are the initial symptoms of syphilis? Characteristics of the "sore (chancre)" and common locations.
The most common initial symptom of syphilis is a "sore" that develops at the site of infection. Medically, this is called a chancre, and it typically appears approximately three weeks (about 10 to 90 days) after infection, at the site where the bacteria entered the body.
Main characteristics of a chancre (sore)
- Hardness: It is often described as feeling hard like cartilage or a button.
- Shape and size: It is usually circular to oval, measuring a few millimeters to 1 centimeter, and the surrounding area may be slightly raised.
- Pain and itchiness: In most cases, it is characterized by little to no pain or itchiness. It's important to be aware that this can lead to delaying seeking medical attention because "it doesn't hurt."
- Surface: The center may be eroded, forming a shallow ulcer.
- Course: Even without treatment, it may disappear naturally within a few weeks, but this does not mean it has healed; the bacteria are believed to remain in the body and progress to the next stage.
Common locations for chancres
Chancres develop at the site where bacteria entered, corresponding to the location of sexual contact.
| Gender/Area | Examples of common locations |
|---|---|
| Male | Glans, tip or shaft of the penis, foreskin, scrotum, etc. |
| Female | Vulva, labia majora and minora, vaginal opening, cervix (hard to notice from outside) |
| Both | Mouth, lips, tongue (due to oral sex), around the anus/rectum (due to anal sex) |
Role of Online and In-Person Consultations
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Available Online | Medical questionnaire, guidance on testing kits, oral medication treatment depending on the stage of illness |
| In-Person Consultation Required | Penicillin injection treatment, detailed examination for severe cases such as neurosyphilis, treatment during pregnancy |
Treatment
Syphilis is an infection that requires treatment with antibiotics. The treatment method and duration vary depending on the duration of infection, symptoms, and whether the patient is pregnant.
Mona offers online consultations, but in some cases, an in-person examination and treatment may be necessary depending on the symptoms and condition.
How long is the treatment period for syphilis?
The duration of treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease. This is a general guideline, and the actual duration and method will be determined by a doctor after examination.
| Progression Stage | General Guideline for Treatment Duration |
|---|---|
| Early (Stage 1, Stage 2, or within 1 year of infection) | Treatment is often completed in a relatively short period. |
| Late (Advanced stage, after a long time since infection) | Longer periods of treatment may be required. |
During the treatment period, it is important to take all prescribed medication as directed. If you stop treatment prematurely because your symptoms disappear, you risk having bacteria remain and causing a relapse. The effectiveness of treatment is generally monitored through follow-up blood tests (changes in antibody titers), and a certain observation period is typically included until completion.
Online Treatment Process
- ① Provisional payment & preliminary questionnaire: Select your desired medication and enter information about your symptoms and the timing of any risky activities.
- ② Online consultation: A doctor will conduct a video consultation to determine if a prescription is appropriate.
- ③ If a prescription is deemed appropriate, medication will be shipped as early as the same day.
Important Considerations for Treatment
- This treatment is private medical care (self-pay). Health insurance does not apply.
- The appearance of effects and side effects varies from person to person. Refrain from sexual intercourse until treatment is complete.
- After treatment, it is important to confirm the treatment effect through regular blood tests (monitoring antibody titers).
- Syphilis does not confer immunity after treatment, and reinfection can occur if there is another exposure.
- It is important for partners to also consider testing and consultation, as they may also be infected.
In these cases, we recommend an in-person consultation
If any of the following apply, an in-person medical examination may be necessary. Please consult a local medical institution.
- If injection treatment is required
- If you have neurological symptoms such as severe headaches
- If you have abnormal vision or hearing
- If you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant
- If the diagnosis is unclear
- If symptoms are severe or worsening
Can syphilis be cured? Addressing concerns about "it can't be cured" and "it can still be transmitted after cure."
Syphilis is a disease that can be eradicated with appropriate antibiotic treatment. While some people may be anxious after hearing "syphilis cannot be cured," this statement is often a misunderstanding stemming from a mix of facts.
Reasons for the misconception "it cannot be cured"
- Antibodies (test reactions) may remain after treatment: Even if the bacteria are eliminated with treatment, some blood test markers (such as TPHA) may remain positive for a long time or even for life. This is like a record of having been infected and does not indicate active bacterial infection. This test result can be misinterpreted as "not cured."
- Treatment interruption or reinfection: If medication is stopped prematurely, or if reinfection occurs after treatment, further treatment will naturally be required. This does not mean it is an "incurable disease."
Can it be transmitted to others after being cured?
If appropriate treatment has been completed and a doctor has determined that the patient is cured, the ability to transmit the infection (infectivity) to others is generally considered to be lost. However, the determination of treatment completion is not based on self-reporting, but on confirming that antibody titers have sufficiently decreased through post-treatment blood tests. If you self-diagnose as "cured" because your symptoms have disappeared, you may still be infectious. Even after being cured, immunity is not developed, and reinfection can occur. It is important for partners to undergo testing and treatment simultaneously, and to refrain from sexual contact until treatment is complete, to prevent reinfection and "ping-pong infections."
Correct Understanding of "Late-Stage Syphilis" and the Idea of "Nose Falling Off"
You might have heard the frightening notion that "in late-stage syphilis, the nose falls off." This saying primarily stems from changes that could occur in advanced syphilis (tertiary syphilis), taking many years to progress, especially in eras when no effective treatments existed.
What is late-stage (tertiary) syphilis?
- This refers to a stage that develops several years to several decades after infection if left untreated.
- Nodules called "gummas" can form on the skin, bones, and internal organs. If these affect the nose or facial tissues, disfigurement could occur in rare cases. The expression "nose falling off" is an exaggerated representation of this condition.
- Further progression can affect the heart, blood vessels, brain, and nerves.
Why you don't need to be overly concerned today
These outcomes are possible only if treatment is completely neglected for a long period. Currently, effective antibiotic treatments are well-established. If detected early and treated appropriately, these late-stage conditions can be prevented. Delaying treatment because "it doesn't hurt" or "the symptoms disappeared" can lead to progression. If you have concerning symptoms or are worried about past exposure, seeking early testing and consultation is the quickest path to peace of mind.
About Your Partner
Syphilis can be asymptomatic. It is important for your partner to also consider testing and consultation, as they may also be infected.
Since reinfection can occur after treatment, it is important to practice infection prevention and undergo regular testing.
Syphilis medication is prescribed through online consultations.
Order onlineReferences
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Number of Reported Sexually Transmitted Infections (Syphilis)
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Information on Syphilis
