Syphilis

 

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a chronic sexually transmitted disease that affects all the organs of the body as well as their functions.

It is caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum and can lay dormant in the body for years. It mostly affects men of reproductive age.

Causes of syphilis

The disease is contagious and is caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum.

It is transmitted through sexual contact (acquired) and from the mother to the fetus (congenital).

The disease develops in three stages.

The primary stage is marked by the appearance of small ulcers 2 weeks after the initial infection.

The patient may not notice any other symptoms.

In the second stage, the patient experiences a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, hepatomegaly and itching around the ulcers.

Ulcers occur on the palms and feet.

A polymorphous eruption appears on the body and warts occur on the mucous membranes (mouth and genitals).

Alopecia occurs in the scalp, the beard and the eyelids.

Finally, ulcers appear on the lips, the tongue, the breasts, the fingers and the intestine.

The latent form of the disease lasts more than 4 years.

In the tertiary stage, syphilis causes irreversible neurological and cardiovascular damage.

The disease is transmitted through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, anal, foreplay, kissing).

Also, the disease can be transmitted even if the infected person has no wounds.

 

Symptoms of syphilis

Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.

The patient may have no symptoms.

The first phase of the disease manifests itself as ulcers, sores and swollen lymph nodes.

In general, it is not painful.

The second phase includes a high fever, rashes, pain in the joints and muscles, discomfort and saturation.

In addition, spots appear on the tongue and bumps on the genitals.

 

Diagnosis of syphilis

The diagnosis is confirmed by special blood tests (RPR, FTA-ABS).

 

Treatment of syphilis

Syphilis can be totally cured with antibiotics.

It is very important to diagnose it as early as possible.

Treatment includes penicillin and doxycycline.

Therapy should be monitored in order to prevent an allergic reaction.

The symptoms of this reaction include nausea, myalgia, headache, fever and chills.

After the completion of the therapy, the patient should be re-examined at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment.

 

Complications of syphilis

If the disease is not treated in time, it is likely to cause cardiovascular diseases, aneurysms and skin lesions.

Although syphilis can be treated, anomalies can remain forever.

Moreover, the wounds reduce the body’s immunity against very serious transmissible diseases such as AIDS.

 

Instructions for treating syphilis

It is important to diagnose and treat syphilis as soon as possible.

In this case, it is treated completely and permanently. In the third phase of the disease, the treatment is ineffective.

 

What specialty

The doctor to treat syphilis is the Dermatologist – Venereologist