Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterial infection. The symptoms of syphilis can be deceptive because they mimic several other diseases. Syphilis symptoms occur in stages and may be spread more easily during some stages than others. Left untreated, syphilis can be the cause of life long complications including blindness, brain and heart damage, and in severe cases, death.
Causes of Syphilis
The syphilis infection is passed from person to person through direct exposure to a syphilis sore. Syphilis sores most often develop on the following:
- Vagina
- Anus
- Rectum
- Mouth and lips
- External genitals
Symptoms of Syphilis
The average time between the initial infection of syphilis and the appearance of symptoms is usually three weeks, however, it can take as long as three months for symptoms to develop. Syphilis develops over the course of time in three stages. The symptoms vary in each stage, which makes diagnosis of the disease difficult. Many patients do not experience symptoms for many years, but are still considered at risk for complications if the condition is not treated properly.
Primary Stage Syphilis
Primary stage syphilis is characterized by a single, small and painless open sore, called a chancre, that may appear on the genitals, mouth, skin, or rectum. Most people develop one chancre and the location of the chancre indicates where the infection first entered the body. The chancre usually heals on its own three to six weeks after it first appears. In addition to the chancre, an enlarged lymph node is usually visible in the same area as the chancre. The chancre usually develops three weeks after exposure to the infection.
Secondary Stage Syphilis
Secondary stage syphilis develops approximately two weeks after the chancre has healed. The secondary stage is often characterized by a rash on the body, especially the soles of the feet and the hands, as well as the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Sores on the skin
- Swollen glands
- Sore throat
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- Weight loss
Late Stage Syphilis
Late stage syphilis often occurs after a period of no symptoms, and can last for years. About 15 percent of patients who have not received early treatment for syphilis, develop late stage syphilis and it may occur several years after the initial infection. This stage may include some of the following symptoms:
- Brain damage
- Nerve damage
- Heart complications
- Liver disease
- Joint inflammation
- Paralysis
- Numbness
- Gradual blindness
- Dementia
- Involuntary muscle movement
Diagnosis of Syphilis
Syphilis may be diagnosed through a physical examination and a full review of symptoms by a doctor. The following diagnostic tests may also be performed:
- Blood test
- Microscopic analysis of a sore sample
It is important for pregnant women to be tested for syphilis and to receive immediate treatment if they test positive for the infection. Babies born with a syphilis infection may not show any signs of the disease, however serious problems can develop within a few weeks of birth and the child may encounter many health problems as they grow.
Treatment of Syphilis
At the early onset of the infection, syphilis is commonly treated with antibiotics. Newly infected patients are usually treated with one dose of antibiotics. Patients that may have been infected with syphilis for a longer period of time before diagnosis, may require additional doses of antibiotics. It is important for patients to abstain from sexual activity until treatment has been completed and active sores have completely healed.
Complications of Syphilis
If syphilis is not treated and progresses to a late stage, it may cause serious, irreversible damage to the body, while also significantly increasing a patient's risk of developing HIV. In addition to the serious side effects from syphilis, patients may also experience:
- Stroke
- Infection
- Paralysis
- Heart disease
- Pregnancy complications
- Death
It is important for patients to get tested and undergo all necessary treatment at the first sign of syphilis.
Prevention of Syphilis
Recommendations to prevent the onset and spread of syphilis include:
- Abstaining from vaginal and anal intercourse
- Using a condom every time during sexual relations
- Engaging in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner
It is important for at-risk patients to get tested regularly and maintain open communication with their partners. Patients infected with syphilis should inform any sex partners of the infection to make sure they are tested and treated. This reduces the risk of re-infection and spreading the disease.