About Syphilis

Syphilis is sexually transmitted disease. It is caused when people engage in unprotected sexual contact and is transmitted through bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions.

The name of the bacteria that causes Syphilis is Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum.

As mentioned above, Syphilis is almost always caught through unprotected sexual contact. However, there have been cases of congenital Syphilis; where an infected mother transmits the virus to her unborn baby in utero.

Symptoms of the sexually transmitted disease (STD), Syphilis, usually start with a sore or sores appearing on the point of contact, usually this means the genitals. These sores usually show themselves after 10-90 days after exposure to the disease. The sores usually show on the genitals, however, they can appear anywhere on the body. Localised swelling of the lymph nodes can also occur. The sores are present for around 4-6 weeks before usually healing themselves spontaneously. During these initial stages of the disease process, there are usually no other symptoms. Some patients may not seek medical help initially.

If left untreated for a long period of time, Syphilis can cause severe damage to the heart, brain, aorta, eyes and bones.

As the disease progresses (6-8 weeks commonly), a reddish rash may appear. The rash is non-itchy and appears on the trunk and extremities of the body. Other lesions and mucous patches may appear in moist areas of the body (genitals, mouth, etc). These lesions are infectious and contain active bodies of bacteria.

Other typical symptoms at this stage of the disease include:

• Fever
• Sore Throat
• Malaise (general feeling of being unwell)
• Weight Loss
• Headache
• Rare Occurrence of Acute Meningitis
  

This stage of Syphilis usually presents itself 1-10 years after initial exposure to the disease. At this stage, tiny balls of inflammation appear all over the body. These are known as granulomas. They resemble tumours but are not cancerous.

Neurological symptoms may also manifest at this point and they include:

• Joint Dysfunction
• Pupillary Dysfunction
• Spinal Chord Issues

When neurological signs are present as a result of Syphilis, It is known as Neurosyphilis.

When Syphilis is allowed to progress, It greatly affects the cardiovascular system. The complications that can arise, when the disease is allowed to progress this far, can often be fatal.

The effects of Syphilis on the cardiovascular system can include:

• Abnormal Enlargement of the Heart. (which more often than not leads to heart failure.)
• Aortic Regurgitation.
  
• Heart Murmur
• Aortic Aneurysm
  

Neurosyphilis is when Syphilis affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) and causes CNS involvement. Neurosyphilis is typically only found in those with the HIV infection and has become much less common since the development of antibiotics.

Many cases of neurosyphilis are asymptomatic, meaning that the patient exhibits no symptoms at all.

When symptoms are present, they can cause:

• Irritation of the Meninges
• Acute Syphilitic Meningitis
• Dizziness/Vertigo
• Personality Changes
• Ischemic Stroke Due to Infected Arteries
• Dementia
• Insomnia
  

Syphilis can be treated exceptionally well if the infection is caught early. It can be prevented greatly by exercising the use of protection when engaging in sexual contact with others.

• Contraception.
  
• Sexual Health Screening.
• Antibiotics such as Penicillin.