Sexual Health | Genital ulcer disease | Early Infectious Syphilis

Early Syphilis
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the clinical features, natural history and pathogenesis, investigation and management of patients with early infectious syphilis in the non-HIV positive. It also discusses the role of partner notification and follow-up for such cases.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the natural history and pathogenesis of early syphilis (ES)
• Describe the range of clinical features of ES
• Recognise atypical/non-classical and uncommon presentations and latent infection
• State the investigations needed to establish or exclude a diagnosis of ES
• Identify the situations in which further investigations such as CSF, x-rays and CT/MRI may be required
• State the first line and second line treatment of ES
• Describe the partner notification arrangements needed for those with ES
• Describe the follow-up arrangements needed post-treatment and the management of serofast or serological relapses upon follow-up

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete the following:

• Session - 01_04 Sexual History (260-0004)
• Session - 01_09 Male Genital Examination (260-0009)
• Session - 01_10 Male Genital Examination (260-0010)
• Session - 02_06 Diagnosing Syphilis (260-0023)
• Session - 02_01 Interpreting Laboratory Tests (260-0018)
• Session - 04_01 Genital Ulceration: Causes and Investigation (260-0051)