How to protect my partner from getting syphilis

In this chapter, you will learn how to protect your partner from getting syphilis.

Syphilis is a very contagious infection and can be transmitted different ways: through genital to genital, oral to genital, genital to rectal, or oral to rectal contact and by using sex toys.

To protect your partner, you need to understand

How transmission occurs
Common syphilis myths
The chance of getting syphilis in different ways, sexual and nonsexual

Let’s start!

If you’re already on PrEP

Syphilis is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

1. Any area of skin with small micro damage comes into contact with a syphilis sore or a mucous patch containing a high concentration of syphilis infection.

2. T. Pallidum syphilis infection gains access to the subcutaneous tissue, and infection occurs.

The truth about common syphilis misconceptions

Syphilis can be contracted multiple times. The immune system does not develop any long-term protection.
Syphilis can be spread whether or not the infected person has symptoms.
Syphilis can be passed without ejaculation.

	Sex (per unprotected intercourse)	Sex toys	Hard surfaces (Toilet seats, doorknobs, etc.)	Textiles (Clothing, towels, and bedding)
Chance of transmission	Male to female: 10%–30% Female to male: 10%–30%	Possible,* but the chance is unknown (no data are available). *Fresh syphilis-infected fluid would have to be on the toy. Toys that are dry and unclean or cleaned with soap are usually safe.	Very unlikely* (close to 0%) *Only a theoretical chance. An unlikely chain of events would be necessary for transmission to occur.	Very unlikely* (close to 0%) * Only a theoretical chance. An unlikely chain of events would be necessary for transmission to occur.

Sex (per unprotected intercourse)

Sex toys

Hard surfaces (Toilet seats, doorknobs, etc.)

Textiles (Clothing, towels, and bedding)

Chance of transmission

Male to female:
10%–30%

Female to male:
10%–30%

Possible,* but the chance is unknown (no data are available).

*Fresh syphilis-infected fluid would have to be on the toy. Toys that are dry and unclean or cleaned with soap are usually safe.

Very unlikely* (close to 0%)

*Only a theoretical chance. An unlikely chain of events would be necessary for transmission to occur.

Very unlikely* (close to 0%)

* Only a theoretical chance. An unlikely chain of events would be necessary for transmission to occur.

How to protect your partner

Syphilis is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. So, to prevent transmission, follow these rules:

Avoid letting the infected area make contact with your partner’s skin while you have symptoms
Don’t let your partner touch the infected area
Don’t share sex toys
Wash your hands with soap after touching your infected area

Remember: it is recommended that you notify all your sex partners (within the last 60 days) about your syphilis diagnosis. Ask them to have a proper medical examination and testing. This will prevent further infection and possible health complications.

The most infectious signs and symptoms of syphilis

Chancre or sore of the primary syphilis
Oral and vaginal mucous patches of secondary syphilis

Sleeping in the same bed as someone else

Transmitting syphilis to someone by sleeping in a bed with them is very unlikely, but it depends on the syphilis stage and symptoms. If you have a sore or rashes, avoid direct skin-to-skin contact involving that area. Syphilis cannot be passed via clothing or bedding.

Sharing utensils

Syphilis cannot be spread by sharing common utensils such as spoons and forks.

Common daily activities

You cannot spread syphilis by hugging a friend, sneezing or coughing, sharing towels, or sitting on a toilet.

Kissing a friend

Unless you have a primary syphilis sore on your lip, it is very unlikely that you will transmit syphilis by kissing a friend.

Syphilis’s survival on surfaces

Syphilis does not survive outside a living organism for very long. It is destroyed by a lack of humidity and warmth. The maximum time it can survive on a surface is 26 hours (it divides every 30 hours, so it dies before dividing).

Get treated and/or tested for syphilis

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