Syphilis - Picture, Symptoms, Cause, Treatment and test of Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases.

Symptoms of Syphilis

Painless red genital sores (chancres) initially, followed by rash and flu-like illness. Long-term consequences include damage to the heart and nervous system.

First Sign:

chancre sore in genital, anal or mouth area.

Later signs:

rash, slight fever, swollen joints.

Can a newborn get syphilis?

Yes. An infected pregnant woman has about a 40% chance of having a stillbirth (syphilitic stillbirth) or giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth.

Diagnosis of Syphilis

• Detection of antibodies from a blood sample.
• Examination of fluid from chancre

Treatment and mangement of Syphilis

There are no over-the-counter medicines or home remedies that cure syphilis. Antibiotic medication at a specialist treatment centre. It is essential to trace previous sexual partners. Penicillin is also prescribed.

Untreated Syphilis can lead to

• blindness
• brain damage
• heart disease
• birth defects

How can syphilis be prevented?

The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

Avoiding alcohol and drug use may also help prevent transmission of syphilis because these activities may lead to risky sexual behavior. It is important that sex partners talk to each other about their HIV status and history of other STDs so that preventive action can be taken.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

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