3 Ways to Prevent General Paresis

1. Act Responsibly When Sexually Active

General paresis is a neurological condition that causes damage to the nerve endings in the brain. There is only one cause of general paresis, and that's if you have an untreated syphilis infection. In fact, general paresis only occurs after a syphilis infection has been untreated for as long as 15 to 20 years.

To prevent general paresis, you have to prevent a syphilis infection. The best way to prevent this sexually transmitted disease is to visit your health care professional for STD screening and blood tests on a regular basis if you have multiple sex partners, if you engage in high-risk sexual activity or if you suspect a sexual partner of having an STD. Using condoms every time you have sex is the next best way to prevent syphilis. Of course, total abstinence is by far the most effective way to prevent STDs, but that's not a practical option for a large number of people.

2. Treat Syphilis Immediately

General paresis is becoming relatively rare since it is so easy to treat a primary or secondary syphilis infection. In most cases, syphilis can be completely cured through the use of a common antibiotic, such as penicillin (or tetracycline for patients who are allergic to penicillin). In other words, it is rare in this day and age for syphilis infections to go untreated for 15 to 20 years.

3. Avoid sex With Anyone who Might Have an STD

Treatment for a syphilis infection may be relatively easy, but blood tests must be taken three, six, 12 and 24 months after treatment to ensure that your infection has been completely cured. If you are having sex with anyone who has been treated for syphilis over the last 24 months, you might want to be tested. Use of a condom should be considered mandatory as a minimal precaution.