Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that endanger human health and cause significant health problems. Although it is possible to prevent and control the spread of these diseases with different methods, it can cause permanent problems in the long term. Syphilis can also be transmitted through blood, disease or from mother to baby during pregnancy.
This disease, also known as syphilis, is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called "Treponema pallidum" that can cause damage to different tissues of the body. The most common way the disease is transmitted is through unprotected sexual intercourse. It can also be transmitted to the baby through blood and during pregnancy. It can cause many different health problems in the short and long term in infected individuals.
What are the Stages of Syphilis?
After the bacteria or virus that causes the disease infects the individual, it is examined in four different stages. The stages of syphilis are as follows:
Primary Syphilis
About three or four weeks after the first contact with the bacteria, a painless ulcer-like sore may appear on the genital area. This sore is called "chancre". Although there is no pain, the spread and contamination is high.
This condition, which develops especially in the genital area, can also occur in the mouth or anal area depending on the bacteria entering the body. Chancre can persist for 2 to 6 weeks after development.
Secondary Syphilis
In the post-chancre period, the person has a sore throat and rashes and redness on the skin in different parts of the body. These rashes, which do not cause itching, usually occur on the hands and the inside of the feet in the form of blisters.
In addition, these rashes are accompanied by white plaques in the mouth, and the possibility of contagion increases to the highest levels during this period of the disease.
In addition, the person may experience fever, headache, weight loss, swelling of the lymph nodes, hair loss, joint pain and weakness.
Latent syphilis
This period comes into effect when the problems caused by the secondary syphilis period disappear. How long this period lasts may vary from person to person and depending on the condition of the disease.
It can also continue until the tertiary syphilis period and can show its effect for many years. Although there are no obvious complaints, it is known that the possibility of transmission continues.
Tertiary syphilis
In cases that have not been treated until this stage, symptoms occur during this period. Unlike the previous stages, there is a risk to life in this stage. Significant health problems can occur. In addition, the symptoms that can occur during this period can cause permanent damage and symptoms may persist even if the individual is treated.
In addition to these, in the tertiary syphilis period, in the last stage, people may experience some discomfort and problems. Some of these are
Damaged inflammatory tissues that can be seen in almost all tissues of the body and occur as a reaction of the immune system against bacteria are called goms. Goms damage the structure of tissues in the body and negatively affect their functioning. This can lead to different health problems.
It can cause infection and inflammation in the large arteries, leading to cerebrovascular disease as well as heart disease.
In the last stage, if the brain tissue becomes inflamed, the person may experience different brain damages. These can include meningitis, stroke, memory loss and many other psychological problems.
In case of inflammation in the bone structure and tissues, disruption of tissue integrity can lead to different deformations.
Damage to eye tissues such as the cornea can cause permanent eye loss and blindness.
If the tissues in the inner ear are damaged and this situation is permanent, it may cause deafness in the person.
What are the Symptoms of Syphilis?
Depending on the different symptoms and signs seen in individuals in case of the spread of the bacteria causing the disease, some tests may need to be performed on the detection and diagnosis of the disease. Depending on the symptoms and severity of the symptoms seen in the person, the stage of the disease is determined.
The symptoms of syphilis can be listed as follows:
- Chancre
- Skin rashes
- Hair loss
- Sore throat and rashes
- Fatigue and weakness
- Fire
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Headache
- Heart disease
- Vision and hearing loss
- Forgetfulness and memory impairment
- Loss of sensation in hands and feet
- Different deformations of the bones
In addition, the disease can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy. The risk of spread and transmission is particularly high in cases of secondary and latent syphilis.
The disease progresses more severely in children and they experience different symptoms compared to adults. Common symptoms of the disease in children are as follows:
- Developmental disorder
- Bone deformations
- Epileptic seizures
- Postpartum blindness
- Problems in tooth development
- Developmental and growth retardation
- Anemia (Anemia)
- Jaundice
- Enlargement of the spleen
- Skin rashes
How is Syphilis (Syphilis) Diagnosed?
There are different tests to be performed in order to detect the disease and diagnose syphilis in people who experience and see the symptoms of the disease. Bacterial examination is performed by taking a swab sample in terms of observing chancre formation. Different blood tests are performed to diagnose syphilis and the disease is diagnosed.
The results obtained from blood samples are effective in making a definitive diagnosis. In addition, different biochemical tests and imaging applications can be used to determine why the disease occurs in the body and in which cases the disease occurs.
If a suspected person becomes pregnant, screening tests should definitely be performed. With this method, the treatment rate of the disease diagnosed early is increased and transmission to the baby can be prevented.
Syphilis (Syphilis) Treatment
The disease can be treated in primary, secondary and latent syphilis stages. Since the bacteria causing the disease is sensitive to penicillin, antibiotic treatment containing penicillin is usually applied.
There may be differences in the treatment method depending on the person and the condition of the disease. Treatment is carried out with the methods deemed necessary by the doctor. In addition, people who are allergic to penicillin may be given different antibiotics.
In tertiary syphilis, which is the last stage and stage, penicillin treatment is given intravenously. Since permanent damage to tissues occurs at this stage, it is aimed to increase the patient's quality of life and lead a more comfortable life in terms of stopping and preventing the damage.
During the treatment phase, the individual should not have sexual intercourse. In addition, since it is a sexually transmitted disease, the partner or partners with whom the person has a relationship should be informed about the subject.
What can be done to prevent syphilis?
Since the disease is usually transmitted sexually, people are recommended to be protected during sexual intercourse. Protection methods include condoms, vaginal condoms and diaphragms. In addition, since it is a disease that can also be transmitted orally, it is of serious importance to be protected in this regard.