Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), it is caused by a bacteria known as "Treponema Pallidum", being transmitted sexually, it is one that rapt attention should be paid to as sex being an activity carried out by many on frequent basis, would be very fast in spreading the infection. The greatest tool in combating and curbing the spread of syphilis is the tool of knowledge, that is why today at Healthvim, we would be taking you on a tour on syphilis, making everything plain and comprehensive.
Syphilis being sexually transmitted is highly contagious, when one is infected, sore(s) known as chancre is developed on the point of entry of the bacteria usually on the vaginal or rectum, theses sores are usually painless and due to ignorance many do not pain attention to it as they see it as normal. If an un-infected person in the process of having sex with one who is already infected and should come in contact with the chancre, the bacteria is then transmitted to such a person, now you understand how it is sexually transmitted. Many a times, after being initially infected the bacteria could be inactive for a long period of time such as even for years spanning over decades, after which it could then become active again. Good news is that, unlike other STD's like HIV/AIDS, syphilis is actually curable, as if it is still in the early stage, an injection of penicillin could work the magic, this is so if the infected individual is knowledgeable enough to have detected it early enough and would then see a doctor, though it is curable, that does not give one the license to less about the infection as it comes with side complications which are actually not too friendly,these would be discussed later on.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
One would at this point wonder how the syphilis bacteria is be in transmitted, this is a wise question, as accurate knowledge on it's means of transmission enables one to be able to prevent being infected, below are some ways by which syphilis is being transmitted;
- Through sexual intercourse when ones genital comes in contact with the chancre of an infected person.
- It is passed from an infected pregnant woman to her child through the placenta or at birth,this is called congenital syphilis and is quite hazardous on the infected child.
- The bacteria could enter ones system through abrasions or cuts on the skin.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of syphilis are spread into 4 stages each with its own unique symptoms by which the stage of infection could identified. These are ; primary, secondary, latent and tertiary stage. Each stage has its own symptoms which would be discussed here.
PRIMARY STAGE - this is the first stage of the infection, and it is characterized by the appearance of a usually painless sore known as chancre at the point of entry of the bacteria. The number of chancre that is formed varies as for some individuals just one could be formed while for others several chancres might develop. These chancres usually develop 21 days after being infected, as earlier said these chancres are usually painless and being they are transmitted during sexual intercourse, they might develop in places like the rectum or the vagina where they might not be visible to the victim, being painless and hidden, detecting syphilis at this stage becomes very difficult, and even when detected, being that it is painless,so many persons would want to overlook it. These chancres would within a period of 2-7 weeks heal by itself and then disappear bringing everything back to normal, and then the infected victims would be happy thinking their conclusion on the sores being normal was right.
SECONDARY STAGE - this is the second stage of the infection, this stage would sprout out few weeks after the chancres has disappeared. It is characterized by the appearance of rashes on the trunk cavity which would then expand to other parts of the body even down to the sole of the feet as well as the palms of the hands which have very high percentage of keratin. The rashes formed might not be itchy and could as well make an ignorant victim conclude that it is normal. Other symptoms that can be found in this stage includes fever, hair loss, sore throats e.t.c.
LATENT STAGE - the word latent means "hidden" , in physics we have latent heat of vaporization when there is no increase in temperature of water when it vaporizes due to the application of heat, so also it is with syphilis, if left untreated during the previous stages, it then matures into a stage where the victim does not experience any further symptoms for the period, this is one reason why this disease is quite dangerous as it could hide not making it's victims aware of its presence.
TERTIARY STAGE - this is the final and most deadly stage as the infection has reached it's climax and now cause severe complications including damage to brain and the nervous system known as neurosyphilis,liver,bones,eye(ocular syphilis),heart e.t.c
COMPLICATIONS
Some complications associated with syphilis are outlined below;
- Dementia
- Headache
- Stroke
- Hearing problem/deafness
- Blindness
- damage to the valves in the heart
- Gummas/small bumps
- Congenital syphilis - when syphilis is passed from pregnant woman to her child, this could lead to miscarriage, birth of a dead child or the death of the child few days after birth.
PREVENTION
Possible ways to prevent being infected includes;
- Use of condom during sexual intercourse
- Use of dental dams for oral sex
- Abstinence from sexual intercourse
- Being monogamous i.e having just one sexual partner.
Please note that there is no vaccine for syphilis yet.
TREATMENT
Syphilis can be treated using penicillin,doxycycline,ceftriaxone,azithromycin.
Hope you were enlightened, always remember that at Healthvim, your health is our pride.