Syphilis
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a bacterial infection, primarily a sexually transmitted
disease (STD).
Who gets syphilis?
Any sexually active person can be infected with syphilis, although there
is a greater incidence among young people between the ages of 15 and 30
years. It is more prevalent in urban than rural areas.
How is syphilis spread?
Syphilis is spread by sexual contact with an infected individual, with
the exception of congenital syphilis, which is spread from mother to fetus.
Transmission by sexual contact requires exposure to moist lesions of skin
or mucous membranes.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
The first sign of syphilis is usually a sore(s) which is painless and
appears at the site of initial contact. It may be accompanied by swollen
glands, which develop within a week after the appearance of the initial
sore. The sore will last from one to five weeks, and will disappear by
itself even if no treatment is received. Approximately six weeks after
the sore first appears, a person will enter the second stage of the disease.
The most common symptom during this stage is a rash which may appear on
any part of the body: trunk, arms, legs, palms, soles, etc. Other, more
generalized symptoms may also occur. These include tiredness, fever, sore
throat, headaches, hoarseness, loss of appetite and swollen glands. These
signs and symptoms will last two to six weeks, and will disappear in the
absence of adequate treatment. After the second stage of the disease,
the only way syphilis can be detected is through a blood test, although
secondary symptoms may occasionally recur. Late syphilis (syphilis of
over four years' duration) may involve illness in the skin, bones, central
nervous system and heart, and may shorten life, impair health and limit
occupational efficiency.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms can appear from 10 to 90 days after a person becomes infected,
but usually within three to four weeks. Symptoms are often not noticed
or are thought to be minor abrasions or heat rash and medical care is
not sought.
When and for how long is a person able to spread syphilis?
Syphilis is considered to be communicable for a period of up to two
years, possibly longer. The extent of communicability depends on the existence
of infectious lesions (sores) which may or may not be visible.
Does past infection with syphilis make a person immune?
There is no natural immunity to syphilis and past infection offers no
protection to the patient.
What is the treatment for syphilis?
Syphilis is treated with penicillin or tetracycline. The amount of treatment
depends on the stage of syphilis the patient is in. Pregnant women with
a history of allergic reaction to penicillin should undergo penicillin
desensitization followed by appropriate penicillin therapy.
What are the complications associated with syphilis?
Untreated syphilis can lead to destruction of soft tissue and bone,
heart failure, insanity, blindness and a variety of other conditions which
may be mild to incapacitating. More important, a female with untreated
syphilis will transmit the disease to her unborn child, which may result
in death or deformity of the child. Physicians and hospitals are required
to test pregnant females for syphilis at prenatal visits. Tests of newborns
or their mothers are required at the time of delivery.
What can be done to prevent the spread of syphilis?
There are a number of ways to prevent the spread of syphilis:
Source: NY State Department of Health
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