Whether you want to become a US citizen or permanent resident, you must clear an immigration medical examination that includes testing for TB infection, gonorrhea infection, and syphilis infection.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, which mostly spreads by sexual contact. However, the bacteria can also enter the body through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, causing an infection.
The infection may be transmitted during pregnancy from mothers to children.
The infection is passed by sexual activity with an infected person, which includes several stages:
Primary Syphilis – After 10-90 days of contracting the bacteria, you may develop a painless pustule on your mouth, genitals, or rectum. While the blister resolves within some days, it may be highly infectious in some cases.
Secondary Syphilis – Develops between six weeks and six months of contracting the infection. Its signs include fever, weight loss, general malaise, bone, and joint pain, and headache.
Latent Syphilis – Usually diagnosed by serologic tests, as infected persons won’t show any signs. This is the most common stage of syphilis identified during an immigration medical exam.
Tertiary Syphilis – Untreated primary syphilis can lead to tertiary syphilis, causing cardiovascular and neurological complications.
While different stages of syphilis bring on different signs and symptoms, the beginning stage of the condition does not. Signs and symptoms only appear after 10-90 days, making early diagnosis challenging. However, if you experience any of the above-mentioned syphilis signs and symptoms, visit your doctor immediately for proper diagnosis. Your doctor will perform a physical examination to see if you have skin rashes or blisters. Your doctor may also order blood tests to look for antibodies to syphilis-causing bacteria.
During syphilis medical examination, your provider will obtain a detailed sexual health history and inquire:
Applicants who test positive for syphilis will not be accepted and are considered Class A, medically disqualified, for syphilis. They will remain Class A until the condition is treated. After completing treatment, they are considered Class B and qualified. The treatment takes two weeks and must be performed by your Civil Surgeon.
Penicillin, an antibiotic medication, is injected into the muscle to treat all stages of syphilis. No other treatment is as effective. Penicillin desensitization is recommended for those individuals who are allergic to penicillin.
If you want to know more about immigration medical exams and syphilis tests, contact us today. Dr. Steven Wittenberg Gordon has dedicated 80% of his practice to immigration medicine in memory of his late father, a refugee and Holocaust survivor. Hence, our team of professional and trained staff is dedicated to serving you in the best possible way.
