All you need to know about Syphilis

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What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease, and is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It can be transferred from one person to the other by the means of oral and anal sex too. A person may contract syphilis by having prolonged sexual contact with an affected person. Prolonged kissing and close body contact with a person affected from syphilis can be the cause of spread of the dreadful disease. The disease usually lays low for a very longtime, and a person suffering from the syphilis sores may not know about the disease until the condition worsens, and spreads through the body.

Inability to realize the presence of infection in the body leads in the passing of the disease to other sexual partners.  The disease may be transferred from a suffering pregnant woman to her baby. This disease, called congenital syphilis, can result in abnormalities or even death of the child.

It is important for you to know that, Syphilis cannot be contracted by coming in contact with infected toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bath tubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

Syphilis, at one point in time was a major health threat to the public, for its ability to cause serious long-term health problems such as arthritis, brain damage, even blindness, until the advent of penicillin in 1940.
According to the CDC, the rate of new cases of syphilis had plummeted in the 1990's and in the year 2000 it reached an all time low since reporting began in 1941. However, new cases of syphilis have doubled between 2005 and 2013 from 8,724 to a whooping 16,663.

What is the cause of syphilis?
The dreadful STD is caused by the bacteria known as Treponema pallidum.

Symptoms of Syphilis?
Syphilis may go unnoticed for a very long time, but does reflect certain symptoms which should be taken seriously to avoid the spread of this life endangering disease.

Syphilis occurs in three different stages:


1.    Early or primary syphilis.
People with primary syphilis notice the development of one or more sores on their body. The sores are usually small painless ulcers, and occur in or around the mouth or the genitals of the infected approximately between 10-90 days (average three weeks) after exposure to the disease. They may heal automatically within six weeks without treatment.

Note: Consult the doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
2.    The secondary stage
The secondary stage of syphilis may last approximately one to three months. It usually begins within six weeks to six months of time after the person has been exposed to it.
People with secondary syphilis are known to experience a rosy "copper penny" rash typically on the palms of the hands and on the soles of the feet.

A person infected with syphilis, may experience rashes with a different appearance on other parts of their body.These rashes sometimes resemble rashes caused by other diseases.

Victims may also experience
•    Moist warts in the groin
•    White patches on the inside of the mouth
•    Swollen lymph glands
•    Fever and weight lo

Just like primary syphilis, secondary syphilis also tends to resolve without any treatment.

Note: Do not take these symptoms lightly. Consult the doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Latent syphilis.
At this stage, the infection lies dormant (inactive) and does not cause any symptoms. The STD may travel to other sexual partners of the one suffering from it, as he/she may unknowingly pass it on to them.

Tertiary syphilis.
This stage comes to existence if the infection isn't treated. This stage may further aggravate and result in a stage characterized by severe problems with the
•    Heart
•    Brain
•    Nerves and can result in paralysis,
•    Blindness
•    Dementia
•    Deafness
•    Impotence

Note: Syphilis may even lead to death if it's not treated in time.

How Is Syphilis Diagnosed?
Syphilis can be easily diagnosed by undergoing a quick and inexpensive blood test at your doctor's office or at any public health clinic.

Treatment of syphilis?
In the case that you've been infected with syphilis for less than a year’s time, a single dose of penicillin is usually enough to destroy the infection and rid you from the dreadful disease.
For people allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics like tetracycline or doxycyclinecan are given to the patient instead.
More doses of the medication may be needed if you are in a later stage of the disease.
People undergoing treatment for syphilis must refrain from sexual contact until the infection is completely cured. Sexual partners of people suffering with syphilis should also be tested and, if necessary, treated to avoid the outbreak of the disease, and help save many lives from getting ruined.

What if Syphilis is not Treated?
If syphilis is left untreated, it can lead to serious and permanent problems such as dementia, blindness, or even death.


How Does Syphilis Affect a Pregnant Woman and Her Baby?
Syphilis may drastically affect the child in the womb of a pregnant woman. If a woman has been suffering from syphilis for a very long time, there is a good chance that she may have a stillbirth (birth of an infant who has died prior to delivery) or may give birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth.

Infants born with the infection may develop serious signs and symptoms of syphilis. Untreated are exposed to the threat of having delayed development, may suffer from seizures, or even die.

Prevention of Syphilis Infection?
There are certain basic precautions one should take to reduce the risk of syphilis infection:
•    One must avoid intimate contact with a person you know is infected.
•    Always have protected sex, use a condom in every sexual encounter.

Syphilis is a curable disease with prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, if the treatment of it is done too late, there may be a good chance of permanent damage to the heart and brain of the patient, even after the infection is destroyed.

Anna Austen is medical adviser at pillsformedicine.com. She like to do reaseacrh on health issues of both men and women. she also write blogs on healthcare products like generic viagra, Latisse online, Propecia pills, kamagra oral jelly, Renova cream etc.