Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted disease caused by the treponema pallidum bacteria. This is a bacterial infection caused by unprotected sex through lack of condom use. The infection can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with syphilis wounds. These wounds will develop around the external parts of the reproductive organs such as the vagina, lips, anus or rectum. Sores can develop on the lips and in the oral cavity, and infection can be transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Pregnant women can also transmit this disease to their fetuses. However, this disease cannot be transmitted through sitting on the toilet, door knobs, swimming pools, bathtubs, clothing and utensils like many people believe.
This disease may produce no symptoms for several years, but, without treatment, it can spread to damage other organs, including the heart, blood vessels, nervous system and the bones, leading to disability or even death. Many people carry the disease but remain asymptomatic for several years, and they are at risk of having end-stage syphilis and complications without undergoing proper treatment.
First stage: It can be observed through the presence of a single sore or multiple sores. The time it takes from contracting the disease to the first onset of symptoms may range from 10-90 days, with an average of 21 days. Sores may be hard, round, small and painless with hard encrustation around raised edges. This is why it is also known as the “encrusted-lip disease”. When sores develop, infection enters the body, and sores can last anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks before disappearing on their own without treatment. Whether with improper or incomplete treatment, syphilis will enter the second stage.
Second stage: Rashes will develop along the skin and dermis. The rashes will develop in one or two places on the body without causing irritation. They may occur while the encrusted sores are healing or 2-3 weeks after they have disappeared. The rashes may appear as red or reddish-brown spots and may occur on the palms and feet, although rashes can also appear in other areas and seem similar to other diseases. Sometimes the rashes appear faded and become unnoticeable. Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, hair loss in patches, headache, weight loss, muscle pain and loss of strength. The symptoms in this stage will disappear on their own.
Dormant and late stage: The dormant stage will begin after the symptoms in the first stage and second stage have disappeared. Without treatment, the infection will remain in the body even if no symptoms appear. The dormant stage of syphilis can last for years, and about 15% of cases develop into the late stage of syphilis and produce additional symptoms even after 10-20 years have already passed since the initial exposure to infection. The late stage of syphilis will gradually lead to the destruction of the body’s organs, such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. The late stage symptoms may range from incoherent muscle movements to disability, to numbness along with gradual blindness, dementia and, potentially, death.
How can you tell if you have syphilis?
- To determine whether or not you have syphilis, you can test the lymph excreted from sores or rashes on the patient’s body under a microscope to determine the presence of infection or take blood samples to screen for syphilis antibodies.
- Blood test after infection. The body will create proteins that can be detected. Even after treatment has concluded, they will remain detectable for months or years later.
What should you do if you have syphilis?
- As soon as you suspect that you have syphilis, you should go see a doctor in order to receive a quick diagnosis. At the same time, you should avoid sexual intercourse.
- For syphilis to be cured, it is necessary to use different drugs under the supervision of a doctor.
- In order to increase treatment effectiveness, especially in late stage syphilis, you should adhere to the principle of maintaining general health as follows:
- Your food should consist of rice, fruits, legumes, vegetables and milk and eggs.
- You should abstain from drinking alcohol, smoking and all other stimulants, including tea, coffee and spicy food.
- You should drink a lot of water.
- You should rest sufficiently and exercise.
- should shower frequently in warm water before bedtime by at least 2-3 times per week.
Syphilis is treatable.
Syphilis is treatable by taking the antibiotic penicillin for 1-3 weeks. The duration of treatment also depends on the stage of the disease. In addition, if the patient has a spouse, both of them should receive treatment at the same time, and after 6 months have passed since treatment, patients should receive additional check-ups every year in order to prevent recurrence.
