Syphilis

Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted infection that could be easily cured in its early stages. However, if left untreated, syphilis could cause permanent damage in different parts of the body.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is caused by a type of bacteria, and despite the fact that syphilis is mostly transmitted sexually, it can also be transmitted in other ways.

Syphilis is more common in men in general.

Causes of syphilis

• Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum, and it’s mostly transmitted through sexual contact.
• People also get infected with syphilis through direct contact with the sores that appear on the patient’s mouth, lips, tongue, breasts, or genitals. The bacteria can enter the body through any tiny cuts or scrapes on the body. Pregnant women can also pass the bacteria to their baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and even breastfeeding.
• Nevertheless, syphilis can’t spread through contact with the patient’s personal stuff or any objects that they have touched. It also doesn’t transmit by using the same toilet, bathroom, swimming pool, etc.
• Syphilis remains contagious until the latent stage of it, but sometimes it is still contagious in the early period of it.

Symptoms of syphilis

Symptoms of syphilis appear in stages and usually vary in each stage, but the stages might overlap, and the symptoms might not appear in the same order. Moreover, some patients might get infected with syphilis and not show any symptoms for years.

• Primary syphilis: a tiny sore called a chancre appears on the body where the bacteria had entered about 3 weeks after being infected, and it’s usually painless, so many patients don’t notice it. Some patients might get more than one sore, and the chancre usually heals on its own 3-6 weeks after its appearance.
• Secondary syphilis: a rash starts to appear on the trunk, which is often red, hard, and not itchy, and might be unnoticeable as well, and with time it could appear on other areas. Other symptoms also manifest during this stage, such as wart-like sores in the genitals or mouth, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, fever, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches.
• Latent syphilis: when syphilis isn’t treated, it becomes latent with no symptoms, and this could last for years.
• Tertiary syphilis: around 30-40% of patients who aren’t treated for syphilis throughout the aforementioned stages enter the tertiary, or late, stage, which could cause serious complications that might be permanent.
• Congenital syphilis: babies could get syphilis from their mothers, and it might not cause any symptoms in the beginning, but if it isn’t treated, it could cause fever, sores, rash, swollen liver and spleen, anemia, rhinitis, and bone changes. It might also lead to deafness, saddle nose, and teeth problems.

Complications of syphilis

Permanent damage could occur if syphilis isn’t treated, such as:

• Neurological problems: stroke, meningitis, dementia-like symptoms, seizures, bladder problems, paralysis, erectile dysfunction, confusion, and personality changes.
• Eye problems: vision changes, pain, and blindness.
• Ear problems: tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss.
• Damages in the heart and blood vessels.
• Increasing the risk of HIV.
• Pregnancy complications.

Diagnosis of syphilis

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• A sample from the sores.

Treatment of syphilis

• The main treatment for syphilis is antibiotics, and it can be cured, but the permanent damages aren’t reversible.
• You can prevent getting infected with syphilis by using protection during intercourse.