What is syphilis, how is it transmitted and what is its treatment?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a type of bacteria called Tryponema pallidum. The first symptom of syphilis is a small, painless sore. These sores may appear in the genital area, rectum, or inside the mouth. This sore is called a chancre, and people usually don't notice it immediately. with this Now, it is better to diagnose syphilis early.... Syphilis that is not treated for a long time can cause significant damage to important organs such as the heart and brain.. Wearing someone else's clothes or using someone else's eating utensils.
Stages of syphilis infection
The four stages of syphilis are:
- primary syphilis
- Secondary syphilis
- latent syphilis
- Third Syphilis
Syphilis is very infectious in the first two stages.
When syphilis is in the latent or latent stage, the disease is still active but often asymptomatic. Tertiary syphilis is associated with the most damage.
Primary syphilis
The initial stage of syphilis occurs about three to four weeks after a person is infected with the bacteria. This stage begins with a small, round sore called a chancre. A chancre is painless, but highly infectious. This sore may appear anywhere the bacteria enters the body, such as in or around the mouth, genitals, or rectum.
On average, the appearance of a sore occurs about three weeks after infection, but it can last anywhere from 10 to 90 days. The sore lasts between two and six weeks.
Syphilis is transmitted through direct contact with a sore... This usually occurs during sexual activity, including oral sex.
Secondary syphilis
The appearance of skin rashes and sore throat may be associated with the second stage of syphilis.... The rashes do not itch and are usually seen on the soles of the feet, but they may appear anywhere on the body.. Some people don't notice the rash until it goes away.
Other symptoms of secondary syphilis may include:- Headache
- Swelling of lymph nodes
- fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- joint pain
These symptoms will go away with or without treatment... but, without treatment, the person will still have syphilis.
Secondary syphilis is often confused with other diseases.
Latent syphilis
The third stage of syphilis is the latent or latent stage.... Primary and secondary symptoms disappear and no significant symptoms are observed in this stage.... But the bacteria remain in the body.... This stage can continue for years before progressing to third syphilis.
Third syphilis
The final stage of syphilis infection is tertiary syphilis. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 15 to 30 percent of people who are not treated for syphilis enter this stage. Tertiary syphilis may occur years or decades after the primary infection. Tertiary syphilis can be fatal...
- Blindness
- Deafness
- mental illness
- memory loss
- Destruction of soft tissue and bone
- Neurological disorders such as stroke or meningitis
- heart disease Neurosyphilis is an infection of the brain or spinal cord
How is syphilis diagnosed?
If you think you have syphilis, go to the doctor as soon as possible... They will take a blood sample for testing and do a complete physical examination.... If there is a sore, the doctor may take a sample from the sore to detect the presence of syphilis bacteria.
If the doctor believes that the cause of the nervous system problems is tertiary syphilis, it may be necessary to perform a lumbar puncture or tap the spine.... In this procedure, the spinal fluid is collected to check for the presence of syphilis bacteria.
Since the bacteria can be present in the body without the person knowing about their presence, in case of pregnancy, the doctor may perform a screening for syphilis.... This is done to prevent the fetus from being infected with congenital syphilis.... Congenital syphilis can cause severe damage to the baby and can even be fatal.
Treatment of syphilis
Primary and secondary syphilis is easily treated with penicillin injections. Penicillin is one of the most widely used antibiotics and is usually effective in treating syphilis. People who are allergic to penicillin are likely to be treated with other antibiotics such as:
..- Doxycycline
- Azithromycin ceftriaxone
If you have neurosyphilis, a daily dose of penicillin is given intravenously....This often requires a short hospital stay....Unfortunately, the damage from latent syphilis is irreversible....The bacteria can be killed, but treatment generally focuses on reducing pain and discomfort.
During treatment, refrain from sexual intercourse until all sores have completely healed and your doctor assures you that it is safe to resume sex....If you are sexually active, your sexual partner should also be treated..
The best way to prevent syphilis is to practice safe sex..Use a condom during every sexual encounter...In addition, the following may be helpful:
- Use a dental guard (a square piece of latex) or a condom during sex.
- Avoid sharing sex toys.
- Get screened for sexually transmitted diseases and share the results with your partners.
Syphilis can also be transmitted through shared needles... Avoid sharing needles if you use injectable drugs.
Complications related to syphilis
Pregnant mothers and babies
Mothers with syphilis are at risk of miscarriage, premature labor, or premature birth.. There is also a risk that a mother with syphilis will pass the disease to her fetus.. This is known as congenital syphilis.
Congenital syphilis can be fatal... Babies with congenital syphilis may also suffer from the following:
- Abnormality
- Delay in development
- Seizures
- Skin rash
- Fever Swollen liver or spleen anemia
- Jaundice
- Infectious wounds
If a child has congenital syphilis and is not diagnosed, there is a possibility of latent syphilis in the baby.... This problem can be associated with damage to the following organs:
- Bone
- teeth
- Eye
- ear
- Brain
AIDS
People with syphilis have a higher chance of contracting HIV. The wounds caused by this disease make it easier for the HIV virus to enter the body.
It is also important to note that people with AIDS may experience different symptoms of syphilis than people without AIDS.... If you have HIV, talk to your doctor about how to recognize the symptoms of syphilis.
When should a syphilis test be done?
Stage 1 Syphilis is not easily diagnosed....Stage 2 symptoms are also common symptoms seen in other diseases as well....This means that if any of the following apply to you, you should consider getting tested for syphilis....it doesn't matter if you have had symptoms before....Get tested if:
- You have had sex without a condom with a person who has syphilis
- are pregnant
- They are sex workers
- They are in prison
- You have had sex with several people without a condom
- You are with someone who has had sex with several people without a condom
- You are a homosexual
If the test is positive, complete treatment should be done.... Even if the symptoms disappear, be sure to complete the course of antibiotics.... Also, refrain from having sex until the doctor is sure that sex is safe.... Get tested for HIV.
People who test positive for syphilis should inform all their recent sexual partners so that they too can be tested and treated.
Don't forget that early detection of syphilis and the start of treatment can largely prevent the complications of this disease, so if you suspect that you have this disease, consult an infectious disease specialist as soon as possible.. LLC.
[sibwp_form id=5]
Was this article helpful to you?