Syphilis Information

Date: July 2004

Diagnosis

Syphilis can be detected through laboratory testing of a blood sample at any stage of infection or fluid taken from lesions or lymph nodes during primary or secondary phases of infection.

Transmission

Syphilis is contracted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected person. It can also be contracted through the sharing of penetrative sex toys.

Pregnant women should note that Syphilis can be passed on to the foetus endangering its health or survival.

Symptoms

Commonly symptoms of infection begin to show from 2 to 5 weeks after contact with an infected person, but it sometimes it takes longer for symptoms to appear. In many cases people can contract the infection without displaying any symptoms at all.

There a 4 phases of the infection each displaying different symptoms.

The symptom for primary phase syphilis is a sore or blister in the infected region, known as a chancre (pronounced shan-ker). The chancre will disappear after about 6 weeks whether or not the infection has been treated.

Secondary phase syphilis symptoms include a non-itchy skin rash that covers the whole body. Also common is a reddish-brown non-itchy rash that appears on the palms of your hands and the soles of feet. Other symptoms include syphilitic warts or skin lesions round the genital and anus area, patchy hair loss on the head and other parts of the body, and a general feeling of ill health with flu like symptoms. These symptoms may last for about 2 to 6 weeks.

Latent phase syphilis is said to be where there are no signs or symptoms of the disease, although a reoccurrence of the secondary phase symptoms has been know to happen.

Tertiary phase syphilis is the most serious and potentially life threatening phase of the infection. Symptoms include tumours developing on the skin, bones, liver or any other organ. There can also be heart problems and chronic nervous disorders such as blindness, insanity and paralysis.

Effects

The effects of syphilis are potentially life threatening. Despite detection and treatments being available at each phase of the infection, the damage inflicted on the body cannot be reversed.

Women should also be aware that syphilis can be passed on to the foetus during pregnancy or the child during child birth. The effects of such transmission can lead to a swollen liver, jaundice, anaemia and various other deformities.

Treatment

The main treatment for syphilis infections is an injection of penicillin from your doctor or medical professional. However, if you are allergic to penicillin there are other anti-biotic treatments available.

Women should tell there doctor if they are allergic to penicillin as this is preferred treatment during pregnancy.

Prevalence

In United States, it is estimated over 100 000 new cases of syphilis occur each year.

While in Western Europe an estimated 130 000 new cases occur each year.