Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which, if left untreated can lead to serious health problems and
increase the risk for getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. Syphilis can also be passed
from the mother to her baby during pregnancy and cause serious complications.
A syphilis infection at an early stage, can be treated with antibiotics, and can be prevented by preventing sexual contact
with someone who is infected. Unfortunately, people do not always know that they are infected so that each sex (oral,
anal or vaginal) should take precautions against STDs and screened regularly for them.
Symptoms
Syphilis, which is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, often causes no symptoms in its early stages. But if left
untreated, it can progress to affect the entire body.
Syphilis typically three phases, and various symptoms in each.
Primary syphilis
The symptoms of the first phase of infection, primary syphilis usually occur 10 days to 3 months after the sexual
Contact with an infected person. A painless red sore called chancre can appear on the genitals in the area where the
Infection occurred. Enlarged lymph nodes (swollen glands) could also be present in the area. Depending on the type of
sexual contact, a chancre might also develop on the mouth or in the rectal area. Chancre is the primary way that
Syphilis is transmitted between people, but often unrecognized. Even without treatment, chancres heal after 3
6 weeks, but if the infection is not treated, the disease to progress to the second stage.
Secondary syphilis
The secondary stage usually begins weeks to months after the chancre sore appears. Syphilis bacteria in the blood and
spread through the body, causing many different symptoms, including rash (small red spots), fever, headache, loss of
Loss of appetite, weight loss, sore throat, muscle pain, joint pain, malaise and enlarged lymph nodes.
The rash of secondary syphilis may develop anywhere on the body, including the palms and the soles.
Gray or white wart-like spots on the skin called condylomata can on the moist areas around the mouth, anus and appear
Vagina. These lesions are full of bacteria and very contagious.
The symptoms of secondary syphilis will eventually go away. But at this stage, syphilis can also affect the liver,
Kidneys and eyes, or cause meningitis. The symptoms of secondary syphilis will eventually go away, but without
Treatment, the infection can advance to the third stage. This also applies when an infected person does not have symptoms
primary or secondary syphilis.
Late (tertiary) syphilis
After the second stage, people with syphilis who did not progress to the latent stage treated, where they
no more symptoms, but still infected. Some of them go on the symptoms of late syphilis can appear many
Years later and can damage the eyes, large blood vessels, heart, bone, and central nervous system (called
neurosyphilis).
Symptoms of this late stage of syphilis include memory loss, problems with mental function, walking, balance, bladder
Control and vision, in addition to impotence and loss of feeling, especially in the legs.
Treatment
A doctor can test for syphilis with a physical examination and blood tests and treating them with antibiotics. The doctor may also
Check for other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV.
Anyone who is sexually active should consult a doctor to be screened for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. Someone who had sexual
Contact with a person who has syphilis, or has any symptom of the disease should be seen by a physician to test and
Treatment as early as possible.
Prevent STDs
Because syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease, the best way to always avoid it is to refrain from having sex. Sexual activity with more
than one partner or with someone who has more than one sexual partner also increases the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
When properly and consistently used, condoms reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Latex condoms provide better protection than
natural membrane condoms. The female condom, made of polyurethane, is also considered effective against STDs.
With shower can actually increase a woman's risk of STDs because it can change the natural flora of the
Vagina and may flush bacteria higher into the genital tract.
Since many STDs often do not have obvious symptoms, people might not know if they are infected, sexually active
Teenagers should get screened regularly for sexually transmitted diseases, so that they no longer lead to other serious health problems.
A teen who is being treated for syphilis should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases, and should time alone with the doctor
openly discuss issues like sexual activity. Not all young people will be comfortable talking with parents about these issues.
But it is important to encourage them to talk to a trusted adult who can provide facts.
Get help
If your child is thinking of getting sexually active or already has started having sex, is it important to discuss it.
Make sure your child knows how to spread sexually transmitted diseases (during anal, oral, or vaginal sex) and that these infections often
no symptoms, so a partner might have an STD without knowing it.
It can be difficult to talk about STDs, but as with any other medical issue, teens need this information to stay
safe and healthy. Give the facts and let your child know where you stand.
It is also important that all teens have regular full physical exams - which can screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Your teen
Maybe you want a gynecologist or a specialist in adolescent medicine, see talk about sexual health issues. Community
Health organizations and sexual counseling in your area could also provide guidance.