Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete.
Syphilis is well known, perhaps because once there was no cure resulting in 'madness'. By the 1970s syphilis was all but eliminated, but recent years have seen the incidence rise.
There are three stages of syphilis infection: primary, secondary and tertiary, sometimes called late stage syphilis. Syphilis is characterized by open lesions, called chancres (and pronounced "shank-kers"). They usually appear on the genitals, but the infection can spread to any organ or tissue through broken skin or the mucus membranes that line the mouth, vagina and anus.
It is very difficult to diagnose the presence of syphilis. Some people carry the infection for years without any symptoms. Often called the 'great masquerader' the infection may emulate the symptoms of other diseases and is often misdiagnosed.
If you notice any open sores on your genitals and you suspect the presence of syphilis ask your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Two blood tests are necessary and check for the presence of antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to the spirochetes in the bloodstream. The first blood test screens for the presence of syphilis and the second one confirms the results.
No results found. Click here for amazon.com
Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. It is a rare disease and easy to cure with simple medication. Syphilis, which was vigorously treated after the second world war was nearly eradicated by the 1970s. By 1985 the rate of syphilis infection began to rise with the incidence increasing each year.
Syphilis is easily treated and curable. The infection can be transmitted to your baby and if left untreated may cause serious congenital malformations or in extreme cases stillbirth.
The risk of congenital syphilis include fetal bone and tooth abnormalities, fetal nerve damage, fetal brain damage and possibly stillbirth. A baby born of a mother infected with syphilis risks infection in the lungs, liver, spleen, and pancreas or other organs.
Not all doctors screen for syphilis during pregnancy. You should request a syphilis screening test when you discover you are pregnant, especially if you are HIV positive.
Modern antibiotics mean that the treatment of syphilis is easy and safe. If you are diagnosed with syphilis your doctor will probably prescribe penicillin or tetracycline.
During pregnancy erythromycin is sometimes substituted for tetracycline. The fetus responds more effectively to penicillin and most doctors will use that to treat the infection instead. Once you have been treated for syphilis a subsequent test will be administered to confirm that you have been cured.
No results found. Click here for amazon.com
