Would You Recognize Syphilis?

Read all about syphilis, an extremely dangerous sexually transmitted disease, and protect yourself!

Condoms are the best protection against syphilis. (Photoxpress)

What is syphilis?

The name syphilis is of Greek origin and it means "he, who likes pigs". Syphilis is also called Lues or ‘The French disease’. It is an extremely dangerous sexually transmitted disease, caused by bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease can spread to all organs of the human body and can be fatal, or cause irreparable damage to the hearth, brain, eyes and joints. 40% of children, born to syphilitic mothers, are born deformed or die during childbirth.   

How do we get infected?

In 95% of cases, syphilis is transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral or anal). To a lesser extent it can be transmitted by kissing, biting and other close contacts with a sick person, who has open sores and wounds on the skin.

What are the symptoms?

Incubation period lasts for about 3 weeks. Syphilis is divided into early, late and congenital.

Early syphilis

Bacteria enters the skin or mucous membrane, where a lump appears after 3 days and decays after a few days into a round or oval shaped painless hard-edged ulcer. It usually appears in the genital area, on lips or in the oral cavity. Some days later lymphatic glands in the area swell and after two months most of the others. Later, a non-irritating rash appears and spreads from the body to extremities. Usually it disappears after 1-2 months and leaves whitish spots on the skin. Months after infection, hair can start falling out. Bald spots are the size of a coin and get overgrown on themselves.

Late syphilis

It is not necessary for changes on the skin to appear. But veins and the central nervous system get affected. The disease can be proved and later controlled with blood antibodies or brain fluid monitoring of the patient.

Congenital syphilis

When a mother is infected with syphilis it can lead to abortion, stillborn baby or birth of a syphilitic baby.

It is not necessary for changes on the skin to appear.

How to prevent syphilis?

Use protection (condom) during intercourse (vaginal, oral or anal). This way you can prevent the infection. Individuals who frequently change partners should take regular blood tests.

Treatment of syphilis

In the early stage, if we detect it fast enough, penicillin will do the trick. If the infected person is allergic to penicillin, doxycycline or tetracycline is used. Intramuscular application is obligatory (injection of medicament into a muscle).

According to the law, all syphilitic infections must be reported, and testing of pregnant women is also obligatory.

Read more about sexually transmitted diseases in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality.