Syphilis Symptoms,Treatment and
Preventions

Overview

Syphilis aka "the French disease" is one of the most common and also the most dreaded STIs. It is an infection that is spread by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. This STI is usually spread through sexual contact –genital, oral and anal
sex.

The bacterium enters the body through minor
cuts and abrasions in the skin and mucus membrane of the genitals, rectum and
mouth. It starts as a painless open sore.

It is transmitted from person to person
via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores. If one partner is
infected, there is a full chance that the other partner will have the dreaded
infection too.

Less commonly, this venereal disease may spread
through direct unprotected contact with an active lesion (such as during
kissing) and congenitally i.e. from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

Even if you are given the all clear sign
for this sexually transmitted disease, you can be re-infected when you come
into contact with someone’s syphilis sores.

Syphilis Symptoms

This sexually transmitted infection (STIs)
develops in stages and the symptoms vary with each stage. The stages may
overlap and symptoms might not occur in the same order. Some people could be
infected with this "French disease" and not show any signs for years.

1st stage (primary)– a painless open
sore (chancre) develops typically on the vagina, penis, rectum and mouth between 10 to 90 days after exposure to the bacteria. Left
on its own the sore will heal within four to six weeks and no chancre will appear again

2nd stage (secondary) – A symmetrical rash appears on both sides of the body. It is prominently seen on the palms of the hand and the feet.The rash is reddish in color and is not itchy.

Whitish lesions appear in the mouth and genital area. Fever, swollen lymph glands, weight loss and sore throat are common at this stage.

The person is very contagious when he or she is at this secondary stage of the disease.

If left untreated, these
signs will also disappear but the disease will progress to the next stage.

3rd or latent stage – no
symptoms appear, but the infection remains in the body. This latent or hidden stage can last for years.

4th stage – About 15 to 30 percent of people who don’t get
treatment for the earlier symptoms will develop complications in this tertiary
stage of the disease.

The complications may appear 10 to 20 years after infection was first acquired. At this final stage, it could lead to damage throughout the body- heart, brain, eyes, nerves, liver, bones and joints.

Symptoms include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness and dementia. The damage may lead to death.

Treatment

Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stage. Penicillin, an antibiotic that kills the Treponema pallidum bacterium is used to treat the disease at any stage of its occurrence
but it cannot reverse any damage that has been done at the final stage.
Therefore it is best to seek treatment early and go for regular STD screenings.

There are no home remedies or over the counter drugs that can cure this dreaded disease.

Prevention

Abstinence and Monogamy – Well, unless
you are a monk or nun, abstinence is not the most viable option in this times
and age. So monogamy is the best alternative – Have mutually monogamous sex
with one partner who is known to be uninfected.

Use condoms - Condoms reduce the risk of
contracting this sexually transmitted disease but only if it covers the infected area.

Avoid recreational drugs- Being high on alcohol
or drugs could “blur” your judgment and lead to risky sexual behavior.

STI Trivial

Phew! The symptoms are scary. To lighten up the mood here are some STD trivial that I have glimpsed from books and the worldwide web.

It seems that STI or sexually transmitted infections has been afflicting
humans for thousands of years. Ancient Chinese medical writings described
diseases of the genitalia that were most probably syphilis.

And in the 19th century, syphilis
was a scourge in Europe. Rather than trying to prevent its spread, countries
blamed the disease on the weakness/immorality of their neighbors. So the
English referred to syphilis as the “French Disease” and the French in turn called
it the “Spanish Disease”.

The information provided here is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this website is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the visitor's own medical care.