A sexually transmitted infection often called the "Great Imitator" by Sir William Osler because Syphilis symptoms resemble those of other common diseases. It has also been called as "Miss Siff" and "The Pox". It can be easily treated on early stage. It is present in 4 different stages: Primary, Secondary, Latent and Tertiary but it may also occur congenitally during pregnancy and at birth.
CAUSES:
Syphilis is caused by the spirochete bacteruim Treponema pallidum. Treponema pallidum causes 3 other human diseases namely: yaws (subspecies pertenue), pinta (subspecies carateum) and bejel (subspecies endemicum) but it do not cause neurological disease.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION:
- sexual contact (including oral, vaginal and anal sex)
- Congenital Syphilis can be pass by the mother to her unborn child during pregnancy and at birth
- contacting with the broken skin of an infected person
- it can be transmitted during the first 3 stages: Primary, Secondary and Latent stage
SYMPTOMS:
Primary:
Begins after infection by direct sexual contact with infectious lesions of another person. It usually takes between 2 to 6 weeks for symptoms to manifest. Produce a painless ulceration called chancre visible on lips, tongue, breats (nipple), fingers, penis, vagina and anus. Sometimes, the chancres grow inside the genitals making it hard to diagnose. Sores will disappear within a few weeks without treatment. Primary Syphilis can be transmitted and if not treated, secondary stage occurs within 2 to 6 weeks.
Secondary:
Begins 3 to 10 weeks after the disappearance of chancres. Symmetrical, reddish-pink, non-itchy rashes will appear on soles of hands and feet. It can also spread to cover the body or it may be limited to certain areas. The rash may become maculopapular or pustular. It may form flat, broad whitish, wart-like lesions known as condyloma latum on mocous membranes. Following the eruption of mucous sores may be visible on the mouth, around the genitalia and rectum. Fever, sore throat, weight loss, hair loss, headache and discomfort on mucles and joints may develop. This stage is extremely contagious and may also be spread by kissing if there are sores in the mouth, avoid skin to skin contact with an infected person. Symptoms of this stage may disappear without treatment. if left untreated, it may reoccur for up to 2 years before it progress to Latency stage.
- The first 2 stages are known as early stage of Syphilis
Latent:
During the Latency Period, all symptoms will disappear. Some people remain in the latent stage for many years. However, the bacteria still to replicate and it is extremely contagious. It is important to seek treatment even if the symptoms have stopped. Latency Period can still be treated.
Tertiary:
Tertiary stage can last for decades and is more difficult to treat but treatment is still an option. Although it is not contagious, it can be extremely damaging to the infected person. Symptoms become more dangerous to the body and can include damage to the joints, weakening of the bones, gradual blindness, heart disease and liver disease. Tertiary stage may be divided into 3 different forms:
Gummatous syphilis characterized by the formation of chronic gummas, which are soft tumor-like balls of inflammation which may vary considerable in size. They typically affect the skin, bone and liver but can occur anywhere including saddle nose deformation.
Neurosyphilis refers to the infection of the central nervous system. in the form of syphilitic meningitis or late menigovascular syphilis, general paresis with dementia or tabes dorsalis. Late neurosyphilis typically occurs 4 to 25 years after the initial infection.
Cardiovascular syphilis usually occurs 10-30 years after the initial infection. Syphilitic aortitis is the most common complication, which may result in aneurysm.
Congenital Syphilis:
Occurs during pregnancy and birth. some syphilitic infants are born without symptoms. Common symptoms that then develop over first couple years of life including: hepatosplenomegaly, rash. fever, neurosyphilis and pneumonitis. if left untreated, late congenital syphilis may occur including: saddle nose formation, Higoumenakis sign, saber shin, or Clutton's joint among others.
Other Conditions:
Syphilis if left untreated may cause serious damage to the heart, brain, eyes, nervous system, bones and joints. It can result in dementia, lack of control over movements, partial or complete blindness, aneurysm and death. Another possible consequence is an increase risk of HIV infection (virus that causes AIDS) because of the open sores.
PREVENTION:
Syphilis is spread by sexual contact with an infected person. Avoiding all forms of sexual activity is the only absolute way to prevent from being infected.
Avoiding skin to skin contact to the sores of infected person.
However, safe sex practices may reduce your risk. The proper use of latex condoms, either the male or female type, greatly decreases the risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease. You need to wear the condom from the beginning to the end of each sexual activity.
Treatment:
Syphilis may be treated with the right medicines prescribed by the doctors.
Follow up examination is important
Treatment failure is possible with HIV co-infection and extended therapy is sometimes required.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Do not self-medicate on any kind of Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Have yourself tested if you have symptoms of Syphilis
- If you had sexual contact with a person known to have STI's
- If you are engaging in high-risk sexual practices
PROGNOSIS:
Prognosis is excellent with proper treatment. Treating sexual contacts of affected individual helps break cycle of infection.
Sources:
Fishbein's Illustarted Medical and Health Encyclopedia
www.wikipedia.org
www.epigee.org
www.nlm.nih.gov/medicineplus
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