Final answer:
Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, with the preferred option being parenteral penicillin G. Alternatives are available for penicillin-allergic patients, but these require follow-up testing. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent disease progression and complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment for syphilis in acute care primarily involves antibiotics, particularly parenteral penicillin G. For primary, secondary, or early latent syphilis, a single intramuscular injection of long-acting benzathine penicillin is typically effective. In cases of late latent or tertiary syphilis, three doses administered weekly may be necessary. If patients have an allergy to penicillin, alternative antibiotics such as doxycycline or tetracycline may be used; however, these patients require retesting post-treatment to ensure a cure has been achieved. It's vital to treat syphilis promptly, as untreated syphilis can progress through several stages, potentially causing severe organ damage and proving fatal. The aim of antibiotic treatment is to kill off the Treponema pallidum bacterium responsible for syphilis, thus preventing the progression of the disease.