SYPHILIS…STD!

Syphilis

INTRODUCTION:

Syphilis is a chronic, systemic and infectious sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacteria.

CAUSITIVE ORGANISM: - the bacterium Treponema pallidum

CAUSES:-

Close sexual contact with an infected person.

An infected mother can pass on the infection to the child during birth.

Blood transfusions from infected person.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:-

Primary stage
Painless ulcer develops at the sites of infection and heals on its own within 2-3 weeks

The primary stage of syphilis, often begins with a sore on the part that has been in contact with the infection, the genitals, rectum or mouth. The sore feels like a button, firm, oval and round. It usually measures about 1.25com or 1/2in across. Swelling of the glands in the groin may occur but is not usually sore or tender.
You do not usually feel ill in the primary stage of syphilis and the sore heals after a few weeks without treatment. This is a problem because the syphilis has not gone. Syphilis continues to spread throughout the body.

Secondary stage
Fever, sore throat & generalized weakness, joint pain, generalized skin reaction. Any organ might be affected.

From the primary stage the disease moves into the secondary stage of syphilis. This secondary stage of syphilis can often occur after a gap of several weeks when the bacteria have spread through the body. You may start to feel unwell, features include headaches, general aches and pains, sickness, loss of appetite and maybe a fever.
Breaks in the skin occur and sometimes a dark red rash. The rash that occurs in the secondary stage of syphilis can last for a few weeks or months. The rash appears on the backs of the legs and the front of the arms and often on your back, face, hands and feet. It does not itch and may be either raised or flat in appearance.
Other symptoms can also include sores in the mouth, nose, throat, genitals or in the folds of the skin. Hair can fall out in patches. These signs and symptoms of syphilis will disappear without treatment in between 3 weeks to 9 months. The signs and symptoms of syphilis have moved to the next stage, but the bacteria are still present in the body and you still have syphilis.

Tertiary stage
Ulcerated lesion anywhere in the skin. Any organ may be affected.

The tertiary stage occurs in about a third of those who are not treated. Common symptoms are painful permanent ulcers on the skin, lesions on ligaments, joints and on bones. Tertiary syphilis can attack the nervous system, the heart and blood vessels that results in blindness, paralysis, and insanity.

DIAGNOSIS:-

Diagnosis of the sexually transmitted syphilis is done by the examination of the symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid. Tests like dark ground microscopy, VDRL test and Chest X-ray further confirm the infection.

TREATMENT:-

The primary goals of syphilis treatment are to avoid disease progression and to prevent transmission. Penicillin has been used in clinical settings for over 50 years, and remains the cornerstone of syphilis therapy.

Children diagnosed with syphilis after the newborn period should have a CSF examination to rule out asymptomatic neurosyphilis. Maternal and birth records should be reviewed to determine if the child has congenital or acquired syphilis. Benzathine penicillin G 50,000 units/kg (up to a maximum dose of 2.4 million units) in a single intramuscular dose is the treatment of choice for acquired primary or secondary syphilis. Child-protection services should also be consulted in potential sexual abuse cases.

PREVENTION:-

The open sores of syphilis may be visible and infectious during the active stages of infection. Any contact with these infectious sores and other infected tissues and body fluids must be avoided to prevent spread of the disease. As with many other STDs, methods of prevention include using condoms during sexual intercourse. Screening and treatment of infected individuals, or secondary prevention, is one of the few options for preventing the advance stages of the disease. Testing and treatment early in pregnancy is the best way to prevent syphilis in infants and should be a routine part of prenatal care.

RESOURCES:-

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syphilis

www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/std/syphilis.html

www.emedicinehealth.com/syphilis/article_em.htm

www.mayoclinic.com/health/syphilis/DS00374

~ by Mary on January 24, 2007.