🧬 What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. If left untreated, it can lead to serious and long-term health problems.
It develops in four stages:
Primary → Secondary → Latent → Tertiary
Each stage has its own signs and symptoms. Also, babies can be infected during pregnancy — a condition known as congenital syphilis.
⚠️ Signs and Symptoms
1️⃣ Primary Stage
- Appears as one or more painless sores (chancres) on:
- Penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, or mouth.
- Sores heal in 3–6 weeks even without treatment, but treatment is necessary to prevent disease progression.
2️⃣ Secondary Stage
- Characterized by skin rashes (often on palms and soles) and/or sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus.
- The rash is bumpy, red or red-brown, and does not itch.
Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sore throat
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
Symptoms may disappear on their own, but infection remains (latent stage).
3️⃣ Latent Stage
- No visible symptoms, but bacteria remain in the body.
- The infection can stay dormant for years if untreated.
4️⃣ Tertiary Stage
- Occurs in untreated cases 10–30 years later.
- Can damage the:
- Heart
- Blood vessels
- Brain and nerves
- May lead to death.
- May cause gummas (destructive ulcers) or nerve/heart damage.
🧠 Special Forms
- Neurosyphilis: affects brain and nerves → causes confusion, weakness, memory loss.
- Ocular syphilis: affects eyes → pain, redness, vision changes, or blindness.
- Otosyphilis: affects ears → hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo.
🔄 Transmission
- Spread through direct contact with syphilis sores during:
- Vaginal, anal, or oral sex
- Can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.
❌ Not spread by:
- Toilet seats
- Clothing
- Eating utensils
- Swimming pools
🛡️ Prevention
- Avoid sexual contact when infected.
- Always use condoms correctly, but remember sores outside condom-covered areas can still transmit infection.
- Have sex only with a tested, faithful partner.
- Pregnant women should get tested early and treated immediately if positive.
👶 Congenital Syphilis
- Transmission from infected mother to newborn.
- Can cause:
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Stillbirth
- Serious defects (deafness, cataracts, seizures)
🔬 Diagnosis
- Done through blood tests or examination of lesion fluid.
- All pregnant women should be tested during their first prenatal visit — and again later if needed.
💊 Treatment and Recovery
- Penicillin is the treatment of choice.
- Treatment stops further damage, but cannot reverse existing organ damage.
- Even after successful treatment, reinfection is possible.
- Follow-up tests and treating sexual partners are essential.