1. Treat General Paresis by Treating the Syphilis That Caused It
General paresis is a neurological condition caused by damaged nerve endings in the brain. This leads to impaired mental functions and can cause memory loss, personality changes, moodiness, hallucinations and a loss of motor skills. In the most severe cases, general paresis can cause insanity, irreversible brain damage and even death.
General paresis can only be caused by an untreated syphilis infection. The infection has to be present for as long as 15 to 20 years before general paresis occurs. Fortunately, general paresis can be treated if the syphilis infection is treated. While general paresis can have very serious symptoms, it can also be treated easily.
2. Cure Your Syphilis Infection With Antibiotics
Syphilis can be cured with common antibiotics, such as penicillin. In fact, penicillin was invented specifically to treat syphilis. If you are allergic to penicillin, other types of antibiotics can be used, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, G benzathine and erythromycin. If you are pregnant, then penicillin is the preferred type of antibiotic since the other medications may be ineffective in preventing the infection from spreading to the fetus. The length of the antibiotic treatment depends upon the severity of your infection and your general health.
3. Follow up With Blood Tests
While many of the symptoms of syphilis may go away shortly after the antibiotic regimen is started, blood tests need to be performed at three, six, 12 and 24 month intervals to confirm that the infection is completely gone. During that period, care must be taken not to spread the infection to partners. While abstinence is always the most effective strategy, a condom can minimize the risks as well. It's important that you tell any sexual partners about your infection, so that doctors can check your partners as well.
