Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by a type of bacteria, treponema pallidum. The disease has three stages: primary, secondary, and late.

How do you get it?

Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. The bacteria that causes syphilis can spread during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Symptoms

During the primary stage, one or more sores appear. These can be on the genitals, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, and in the mouth. The sore is usually firm, round, small, and painless. It appears on the spot where syphilis entered the body. If left untreated, it progresses to the secondary stage.

In the secondary stage, skin rash and mucous membrane lesions occur. The typical rash is rough, red, or reddish brown spots that appear on the palms of the hands and the bottom of the feet. Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue. Again, if left untreated the disease advances to the next stage.

The latent (hidden) stage begins when symptoms of stage 2 disappear. The disease remains although there are no symptoms.

Complications

It may damage internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. The damage may not appear for years. Symptoms associated with such damage include difficulty with muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

Testing/Diagnosis

Doctors can diagnose syphilis through examining a sore using a special microscope or a blood test.

Treatment

A single injection of penicillin will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than a year. Additional doses are needed to treat someone who has syphilis longer than a year. Treatment will kill the bacteria and prevent further damage, but damage previous to treatment is permanent.

Resources: Heritage House '76, Inc.