Syphilis is a dangerous sexually transmitted disease caused by the Trepodema Pallidum bacterium that can cause damage to internal organs and increase the risk of contracting HIV. It has three stages, with the first being a painless sore called chancre. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent late-stage syphilis, which can cause irreversible damage. Treatment is a single dose of penicillin if diagnosed within a year of contracting the bacterium, followed by a course of oral antibiotics. Safe sex practices, including condom use, are the best defense against the disease.
Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and can cause damage to the muscles, brain and other important internal organs in the later stages. It is caused by the Trepodema Pallidum bacterium and is very dangerous. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause the newborn to die or die within days for a newborn. This disease also increases a person’s risk level for contracting HIV. Those who have syphilis sores are two to five times more likely to get HIV from an infected partner.
There are three distinct stages of syphilis, the first of which can go unnoticed by those affected. Primary infection can occur anywhere between 10 days to three months after contracting the bacteria. The first indication is a single sore called chancre. The sore is usually painless and may heal without treatment and thus never be noticed. Occasionally, the primary stage will cause more sores, which is good, in a way, as it may lead people to see a doctor more immediately.
The secondary phase occurs after the period has healed. It is characterized by a red to reddish brown non-itchy rash that may be present on the palms and soles of the feet. Those affected may also experience body aches, fever, swollen glands, sore throat, weight loss, headache, and/or a general feeling of fatigue. Again, these symptoms can resolve without treatment. If the person who suspected them may have been exposed to syphilis, these symptoms warrant a quick visit to a doctor, who can diagnose the disease through a simple blood test. In the primary stage, the diagnosis can also be made through a blood test or by analyzing the cycle.
Early diagnosis is crucial, as it is important to prevent the late stage of the disease, which occurs after the secondary stage symptoms have disappeared. Late-stage syphilis can cause terrible deterioration of muscles, organs, and the brain. It can cause dementia, blindness or paralysis. The disease can take many years to progress to this point, but advanced cases can cause irreversible damage to the body. Further damage can be avoided by curing the disease.
If someone is diagnosed within a year of contracting the bacterium, treatment is a single dose of penicillin, although other antibiotics may be used if they are allergic to penicillin. After a year, the injection will be followed by a course of oral antibiotics over several weeks. This effectively cures the disease, but does not prevent the patient from contracting it again.
Recent studies show that contraction of syphilis is on the rise, particularly in the male population. This is alarming because it suggests that those people aren’t using safe sex practices, which tend to keep them from getting the disease. The best defense against the disease is to avoid casual sex and not have sex with a partner who hasn’t been tested for STDs. Long-term monogamous relationships, or abstaining from sex in the absence of such, are the best ways to avoid contracting STDs.
Even in long-term exclusive sex, protection, in the form of a male or female condom, should still be used, which can help avoid contact with skin cells that can harbor STDs. Any type of sexual contact can result in contracting syphilis. Many young people believe that safety lies in oral sex or mutual masturbation activities. This is not true. People can get the disease from oral sex practices and standard intercourse.
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