SYPHILIS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND ITS CONNECTION WITH HIV INFECTION!

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be spread through sexual contact and begins as a painless sore on the genitals, anus, or mouth.

This disease is also spread from person to person through direct contact with the sores of the infected person, mother who has the disease passing it to her fetus and sometimes said that the disease can be transmitted in breast feeding

After contracting the disease, it can live in the body for many years without any symptoms, but it is more likely that the effects of the disease will come back if left untreated.

Syphilis can damage the heart, brain and other organs and is a life-threatening disease in a healthy person.

If you are diagnosed early, it is easy to treat and sometimes only one medicine is enough for your pain, which is penicillin.

It is important to get a medical checkup when you notice symptoms and all expectant mothers should be screened for syphilis at the first prenatal checkup.

Symptoms of pain

Syphilis comes in different stages and the symptoms are not the same at each stage, but you may carry the bacteria without feeling any symptoms for years.

Primary stage of syphilis

The first symptom of syphilis is a small, usually painless, and sore from where the bacteria entered the body.

The sores appear on the body about three weeks after you come in contact with the bacteria, but most infected people do not feel the sores, which is why early symptoms are not noticed.

The sore is seen hidden in the genitals or rectum and it takes three to six weeks for the sore to heal.

The second stage of syphilis

You may develop a rash after the infection heals after a few weeks

A rash caused by syphilis

Most of rashes are benign and the cysts may appear red or brown in color.

Acne, which is hard to see because of its small size, can appear on different parts of the body such as the chest, abdomen, hips and back.

Also over time the rash may appear on the limbs, palms of the hands and feet, and you may have symptoms such as:

Tumor-like lesions in the mouth or genitals

Hair loss

Muscle pain

A fever

Sore throat

Fatigue

Weight loss

Swollen glands

The symptoms of secondary syphilis may go away on their own, but if left untreated, the disease can re-occur over months and years.

Hidden syphilis

If left untreated, syphilis progresses to the second stage and becomes latent, meaning that you have no visible or palpable symptoms and the disease is still present in your body.

Not treating the disease can cause health problems that can lead to a difficult situation in your life

Third syphilis

After the latent stage 30% to 40% of people with untreated syphilis develop complications known as tertiary syphilis or late syphilis.

This disease can damage the brain, optic nerve, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints

The complications mentioned above are those that can occur years after the original infection with untreated syphilis.

Infectious syphilis

At any stage, untreated syphilis can affect the brain, spine, eyes and other parts of the body and this can lead to serious health problems.

Congenital syphilis

Pregnant mothers with syphilis can pass the infection to their unborn babies through the placenta, the organ that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.

Newborns with syphilis may not have any symptoms unless they receive prompt treatment.

Blisters and skin rashes

A fever

Color the skin and eyes differently

Anemia (less hemoglobin)

Swollen liver and spleen

Sneezing

The baby's bones are changing

Later symptoms of syphilis include:

Deafness

Dental and nasal problems

Babies with syphilis can be born prematurely and may die during pregnancy or after birth.

When you should see a doctor

Contact your healthcare provider if you or your child experiences any of the symptoms of syphilis

It is also important to contact your doctor if you have had sex with someone who has syphilis

What causes syphilis?

This disease is caused by a bacterium called treponema pallidum but the most common way to spread it is by touching the wound of an infected person.

The bacteria enter the body through small breaks in the skin and other ways of transmission include kissing open sores on the lips, tongue, mouth and breasts.

Syphilis is not spread by direct contact with an item touched by infected person, and once the infection is treated, it cannot return on its own except contact with syphilis sore.

The risk of syphilis

If left untreated, syphilis can cause damage to the entire body

Syphilis can also increase the risk of HIV infection

Treatment can help with these health problems but it cannot reverse the damage that the disease has already done to your body.

There is no vaccine to prevent this disease, but instead you should avoid the things that cause infection that we have mentioned above to avoid the complications of syphilis.