Syphilis, a bacterial infection caused by the Treponema Pallidum bacterium, is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which is not easy to recognize from other STD’s due to the fact syphilis signs or symptoms act like those of other STD’s. Due to this, syphilis is oftentimes known as “the great imitator”.
Syphilis may be asymptomatic for several years. But individuals infected are at risk for later troubles if not treated. Most people contract syphilis from a person who doesn’t even know they may be infected.
How does one get Syphilis?
Syphilis passes by direct contact with a syphilis sore from one individual to another. A syphilis sore could be located on the vagina, external genitals, rectum or anus. At times, the sores may be found in the mouth or on the lips. Syphilis is transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Infected females who are pregnant may pass syphilis to their child. You cannot contract syphilis from casual contact (i.e. a toilet seat).
Syphilis Testing
The Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) blood test picks up antibodies to the Syphilis bacterium.
Syphilis Symptoms
Syphilis has three stages; primary, secondary and late.
Primary Stage
During the syphilis primary stage, a single sore, or chancre appears. The chancre could be round, small, firm, and pain-free. It appears at the area where syphilis entered a person’s body. After 3 to 6 weeks, the chancre heals without any treatment. However, if treatment is not given, the infection goes into the secondary stage.
Secondary Stage
The syphilis secondary stage exhibits a skin rash and mucous membrane lesions. The stage starts off with rash in a single or numerous areas of the body. This rash can appear while, or many weeks following the chancre healing from the primary stage. The rash may appear on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet as rough, reddish brown, or red spots. But, some other rashes that range in appearance might turn up in other places on the body. Secondary syphilis rashes are sometimes so faint, they go completely undetected. Other symptoms might include sore throat, weight-loss, a fever, exhaustion, inflamed lymph glands, and headaches. Even though the symptoms will reside without treatment, if not treated, the syphilis infection will move on to the late stage of the disease.
Late Stage
The late stage starts when the secondary symptoms resolve. With no treatment, the infected man or woman will still have syphilis even though no signs or symptoms are visible. Syphilis, in the late stage, may damage internal organs such as the joints, bones, liver, heart, eyes, nerves, as well as the brain. It might be several years before the internal damage is learned.
