Syphilis
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Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread
primarily by sexual activity, including oral and anal sex. The disease can be passed
to another person through prolonged kissing or close bodily contact with an infected
person. The infected person is often unaware of the disease and unknowingly passes
it on to their sexual partner. Syphilis has also been called the mimic disease because
its symptoms can imitate those of other diseases.
Pregnant women with the disease can spread
it to their baby. This disease, called congenital syphilis, can cause abnormalities
or even death to the child.
What Causes
Syphilis?
Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum.
What Are
The Symptoms Of Syphilis?
Syphilis infection occurs in 3 distinct stages.
Early or primary syphilis.
People with primary syphilis will develop one or more chancre sores. The sores resemble
large round bug bites and are often hard and painless. They occur on the genitals
or in or around the mouth somewhere between 10-90 days (average 3 weeks) after exposure.
Even without treatment they heal without a scar within 6 weeks.
The secondary stage may last
1-3 months and begins within 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure. People with secondary
syphilis experience a rosy "copper penny" rash typically on the palms
of the hands and soles of the feet. They may also experience moist warts in the
groin, white patches on the inside of the mouth, swollen lymph glands, fever, and
weight loss. Like primary syphilis, secondary syphilis will resolve without treatment.
Latent syphilis. This is
where the infection lies dormant (inactive) without causing symptoms.
Tertiary syphilis. If the
infection isn't treated, it may then progress to a stage characterized by severe
problems with the heart, brain, and nerves that can result in paralysis, blindness,
dementia, deafness, impotence and even death if it's not treated.
What Happens
If I Don't Get Tested?
If syphilis is left untreated, it can cause serious and permanent problems such
as dementia, blindness or death.
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