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Syphilis is easy to treat. An intramuscular penicillin injection will rid the body of the syphilis bacteria within a year. It also makes the infection non-contagious within 24 hours. When patients don't respond to this, or are allergic, other antibiotics can be substituted.
This is Syphilis This is Syphilis
There have been around 36,000 cases reported, but many go unreported. This is because the symptoms of syphilis are not always consistent and it sometimes looks like another disease.
Syphilis is transmitted through sex, as the term STD implies. The bacteria spreads from infected ulcers on the body. It can also be passed from a mother to a child at birth.
The symptoms appear in three stages. Stage 1: Within a few weeks of infection, sores appear on genitals, mouth, or other body parts. Stage 2: A brown skin rash appears on the bottom of the feet and the palms of the hand. Fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and hair loss are sometimes experienced. Stage 3: Joint and bone damage, increasing blindness, numbness in fingers/toes, and poor coordination. This can last for years, and might not even appear for years after infection.
Be warned: as easy as syphilis is to treat, all damage caused by it is permanent. If treated quickly, this is not a problem, but if left undetected it can damage the heart, brain, eyes, and ears. When untreated, it often leads to dementia and even death.
Syphilis originated in the Americas and was spread to Europe and the rest of the world in the beginning of the colonial age. Recently, its prevalence has increased (along with other STDs) because of greater sexual openness.
Like many STD, syphilis is a growing problem around the world. Transmission can usually be prevented by the use of a condom, but of course, abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent it. But since most people aren’t about to give up sex, simply being aware of the risks can help you avoid catching it. For more information, contact the Center for Disease control at 800-232-4636 or 888-232-6348.
1. “Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Syphilis.' Epigee Pregnancy Resource. Web. 31 May 2010. . 2. Rice, Kelly. 'Syphilis.' Sex and Society. Marshall Cavendish Digital, 2010. Web. 25 May 2010. . 3. 'Bacteria, Non- Gram Stain Clinical Bacteria.' Buddycom. Web. 01 June 2010. . 4. 'YouTube - Syphilis Health Byte.' YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 01 June 2010. .
