Just In
- 5 hrs ago Heeramandi Screening: Alia Bhatt, Ananya Panday, Rashmika Mandanna And Others Serve Finest Ethnic Style!
- 5 hrs ago From Alia Bhatt To Kriti Sanon, Korean Beauty Products That Bollywood Divas Swear By
- 8 hrs ago Exclusive: On World Malaria Day 2024, Dr Shares Danger Signs Parents Must Watch Out For In Child With Malaria
- 9 hrs ago Exclusive: Expert Debunks 5 Common Misconceptions About Expectant Mothers That You Need To Steer Clear From
Don't Miss
- Finance Tech Mahindra Q4 Results: Cons PAT Declines 41% YoY To Rs 661 Crore; Exits FY24 In Red
- Movies Chief Detective 1958 Episode 3 OTT Release Date, Time, Platform: When & Where To Watch? What To Expect?
- Sports Pakistan vs New Zealand: Who Can Replace Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan in PAK Squad?
- News Kharge's Sharp Retort To PM Modi: Correcting Misinformation On Congress Manifesto 2024
- Automobiles Royal Enfield Unveils Revolutionary Rentals & Tours Service: Check Out All Details Here
- Technology Elon Musk’s X Is Launching a TV App Similar to YouTube for Watching Videos
- Education AICTE introduces career portal for 3 million students, offering fully-sponsored trip to Silicon Valley
- Travel Escape to Kalimpong, Gangtok, and Darjeeling with IRCTC's Tour Package; Check Itinerary
Syphilis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that 64% of syphilis occur in men who have sex with men.
What Causes Syphilis [1]
Treponema pallidum is the bacteria that cause syphilis. The bacterium is transmitted through contact with an infected person's sore during sexual activity. The bacteria enter the body through minor cuts in your skin or mucous membranes of the vagina, rectum, lips or mouth.
The disease is most likely to spread during anal, oral or vaginal sexual activity.
Pregnant mothers who have syphilis can easily transmit the bacteria through the placenta, causing congenital syphilis in babies. Most newborns have no symptoms, although a rash on the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet can develop. The later symptoms include teeth deformities, deafness and saddles nose [6] .
Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention
Stages Of Syphilis [2]
- Primary syphilis - In the primary stage, a small round sore called a chancre develops about 3-4 weeks after a person contracts the bacteria. The sore may appear inside the mouth or rectum and it may remain between 2 to 6 weeks.
- Secondary syphilis - Skin rashes accompanied by sore throat occurs during the second stage of syphilis. The rash usually develops on the palms and soles and the symptoms include fatigue, fever, hair loss, weight loss, aching joints, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Latent syphilis - If syphilis isn't treated, it enters the latent stage. The symptoms aren't noticeable, however, the bacteria remain in the body.
- Tertiary syphilis - This is a life-threatening stage which can lead to deafness, blindness, memory loss, mental illness, heart disease, damaging of soft tissue and bones, neurosyphilis, and neurological disorders.
Symptoms Of Syphilis
In the primary stage, one or more painless, firm and round syphilitic sores develop. In the secondary stage, the symptoms include rashes, muscle aches, fever, sore throat, patchy hair loss, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
Risk Factors Of Syphilis [3]
- Unprotected sex
- Having sex with multiple partners
- Men who have sex with men
- Infected with HIV
ALSO READ: 12 Best Leg Exercises For Women To Try At Home
Complications Of Syphilis [4]
If untreated, syphilis can also elevate the risk of HIV infection and can also cause problems during pregnancy. The other complications are small bumps or tumours, neurological problems, and heart problems.
Diagnosis Of Syphilis [5]
- Blood test - Blood test can detect a recent or past infection, as the antibodies to the syphilis-causing bacteria remain in the body for years.
- Cerebrospinal fluid - Cerebrospinal fluid is collected through a spinal tap and examined to check how much the disease has affected the nervous system.
- Bodily fluid - The fluid is taken from the sore during the primary or secondary stage.
A person undergo a syphilis test after he has had unprotected sex, had sex with a new partner or multiple partners, had sex with a man, and is a sex worker.
Hyperthermia: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors & How To Treat It
Treatment Of Syphilis [5]
Primary and secondary syphilis can be easily treated with a penicillin injection, penicillin is an effective antibiotic used for treating syphilis.
If you have tertiary syphilis, you will need multiple injections at weekly intervals. In the case of neurosyphilis, intravenous (IV) penicillin is required every 4 hours for 2 weeks to eliminate the bacteria from the nervous system.
People who are allergic to penicillin will be likely to be treated with other antibiotics like ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and doxycycline.
Prevention Of Syphilis
- Abstain from sex with multiple partners
- Avoid sharing sex toys
- Use condoms during sex
- Get screened for STIs
- [1] Sethi, S., Mewara, A., Hallur, V., Prasad, A., Sharma, K., & Raj, A. (2015). Rising trends of syphilis in a tertiary care center in North India.Indian journal of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS,36(2), 140-143.
- [2] Wong, N. S., Huang, S., Zheng, H., Chen, L., Zhao, P., Tucker, J. D., … Yang, B. (2017). Stages of syphilis in South China - a multilevel analysis of early diagnosis.BMC public health,17(1), 135.
- [3] Macêdo, V. C., Lira, P., Frias, P. G., Romaguera, L., Caires, S., & Ximenes, R. (2017). Risk factors for syphilis in women: case-control study.Revista de saude publica,51, 78.
- [4] Singh, A. E., & Romanowski, B. (1999). Syphilis: review with emphasis on clinical, epidemiologic, and some biologic features.Clinical microbiology reviews,12(2), 187-209.
- [5] Pastuszczak, M., & Wojas-Pelc, A. (2013). Current standards for diagnosis and treatment of syphilis: selection of some practical issues, based on the European (IUSTI) and U.S. (CDC) guidelines.Postepy dermatologii i alergologii,30(4), 203-210.
- [6] Wijesooriya, N. S., Rochat, R. W., Kamb, M. L., Turlapati, P., Temmerman, M., Broutet, N., & Newman, L. M. (2016). Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study.The Lancet Global health,4(8), e525-e533.
- healthHow Can You Protect Yourself From Extreme Heat? Dos And Don’ts To Follow
- healthHow You Blink Per Minute Can Determine If You Have An Underlying Health Condiion, Here's What You Need To Know
- healthWhat Is Parrot Fever? 5 Dies In Europe Due To This Outbreak, Everything You Need To Know
- healthPreventing Dementia, Diabetes, And Heart Disease May Lie In Your Oral Health Habits
- healthWhat Is Zombie Deer Disease? What Scientists Want You To Know About Its Transmission To Humans
- healthMeasles Outbreak In MP: Causes, Symptoms, How Parents Can Keep Children Safe By Taking Necessary Precautions
- healthFarmer’s Protest: Farmers Face Tear Gas At Shambhu Border, How This Riot Control Agent Can Affect Human Body
- healthWhat Happens If You Eat Food That Has A Fly On It? Knowing The Reasons Will Make You Reconsider Outdoor Snack
- healthNew AI Tool Detects Breast Cancer Better Than Hospitals: What Other Diseases Can AI Detect?
- healthSeasonal Illnesses On A Rise: Are You Following The Right Prevention Methods?
- healthCan Vitamin D Help Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk? Does It Reduce High BP?
- healthWhat Is Disease X? 20 Times More Deadlier Than Covid 19; Can Cause 50 Million Deaths, Does It Have Vaccine?