Syphilis

Syphilis:
A sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum.

Syphilis is a major health problem. About 12 million new cases of syphilis occur every year. More than 90% of them are in developing nations where congenital syphilis remains a leading cause of stillbirths and newborn deaths. In North America and Western Europe, syphilis is disproportionately common and rising among men who have sex with men and among persons who use cocaine or other illicit drugs.


There are three stages of syphilis:

• The first (primary) stage (1-5 weeks): This involves the formation of the chancre,a classic painless ulcer of syphilis. At this stage, syphilis is highly contagious.

• The second (secondary) stage (4-6 weeks): However, 25 percent of cases will proceed to the secondary stage of syphilis.

This phase can include hair loss; a sore throat; white patches in the nose, mouth, and vagina; fever; headaches; and a skin rash. There can be lesions on the genitals that look like genital warts, but are caused by spirochetes rather than the wart virus. These wart-like lesions, as well as the skin rash, are highly contagious. The rash can occur on the palms of the hands, and the infection can be transmitted by casual contact.

• The third (tertiary) stage: This final stage of the disease involves the brain and heart, and is usually no longer contagious. At this point, however, the infection can cause extensive damage to the internal organs and the brain, and can lead to death.

Diagnosis :
Is by following blood tests

• Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
• Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test.
• Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed (FTA-ABS) test.

Treatment : Syphilis is treated with penicillin, administered by injection.
Other antibiotics can be used for patients allergic to penicillin.

A small percentage of patients do not respond to the usual doses of penicillin. Therefore, it is important that patients have periodic repeat blood tests to make sure that the infectious agent has been completely destroyed and there is no further evidence of the disease.

In all stages of syphilis, proper treatment will cure the disease, but in late syphilis, damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed.

Prevention of Syphilis:

Patients with infectious syphilis should abstain from sexual activity until rendered noninfectious by antibiotic therapy.

Talk openly with your partner about STDs, HIV, and hepatitis B infection, and the use of contraception. All sexually active persons should consider using latex condoms to prevent STDs and HIV infection, even if they are using another form of contraception.

Latex condoms used consistently and correctly are an effective means for preventing disease (and pregnancy). Since latent condoms protect covered parts only, the exposed parts should be washed with soap and water as soon after contact as possible. This applies to men and women.