Know a lot more about one of the most common STDs worldwide.
Syphilis is the third most common sexually transmitted
disease (STD), caused by treponema pallidum. It is known to be a multi-organ
system disease. Its other names are "pox", "lues", or
"bad blood disease". Its incubation period is usually10-70 days with
an average of 21 days; of course this is after contact. Disease transmission is
acquired through having sexual contact, and/or through blood transmission. It
could also be congenital in such cases of placental transmission which happens
after 5 months of gestation. But in reported cases, sexual transmission is
still rather rampant.
There are four known stages of acquired Syphilis:
Primary stage
In this stage, there
is the appearance of a painless lesion or chancre, the indurated lesions heal
spontaneously with or without treatment. Usually lasts 4-6 weeks. Other
infected people might disregard this early stage and the chancre per se,
assuming that it is just as ordinary skin ulcer that would just fade away.
Well, think again, although this is not painful, it is an early indication for
treatment.
Secondary stage
This is considered as the most contagious stage which lasts 6-8
weeks. Strict precautions must be observed. There would be an appearance of
non-itchy generalized rash involving the palms and soles, with papular lesions.
Again, if just based on appearance, the infected might think of it as another
different condition. Proper knowledge and appropriate diagnosis and
intervention is still vital. The infected person would also experience changes
in hair growth like patchy alopecia, which is characterized by a "moth
eaten appearance". There would also be arthritic pain and lymphadenopathy
or any disease of the lymph glands.
Latent stage
This occurs within 1-2 yrs, and without any presence of
clinical signs and symptoms.
Tertiary stage
This is also known as the late stage of syphilis. There would be an appearance of localized mass (gumma) that may be found in almost any organ of the body. Most cases that have been neglected might end up to this stage wherein there is already a possible massive spread of lesions all over the body.
DIAGNOSIS
Screening tests are done in order to determine the presence
of Syphilis, and would detect antibodies to the bacterium that causes the said
disease.
·
- 1. Venereal
Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test
- Although sometimes not accurate and can’t be done in very early or advanced stages, it can still help determine and check antibodies present in people who have contacted the disease. This is done either on a sample of blood or spinal fluid.
2. Rapid Plasma Rengin (RPR)
Just
like the test above, the RPR test also detects antibodies.
3. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test
Another
blood test that checks for antibodies. If positive with the EIA test, another
confirmatory test through either VDRL or RPR should be done.
Confirmatory tests are also done in order to diagnose
Syphilis:
1. Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test
Same as the screening tests, this can also check
the presence of antibodies to the syphilis bacteria however except during the
first 3 to 4 weeks after exposure to syphilis bacteria. This is also
through blood sample and spinal fluid.
2. Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA)
This is a test done to confirm Syphilis after
other tests methods resulted positive.
3. Darkfield microscopy
This
is a recommended method to be used in early stage of the disease. It uses a special
microscope to detect the presence of syphilis on fluid or tissue sample from a
chancre.
4. Microhemagglutination assay (MHA-TP)
Just the same as other confirmatory tests, this is also used
to confirm syphilis after other test methods turns out positive.
Can Syphilis be treated?
Yes, it can. Penicillin G is usually the drug of
choice as treatment for primary and secondary stages of syphilis.
Penicillin is a widely used antibiotic; this is usually administered as
injection and is considered effective. However, like most injectable
antibiotics, a skin test would be required to test for any possible allergic
reactions. Since some people are indeed allergic to Pen G, they are treated
with a different oral antibiotic, such as tetracycline.
Before engaging into any sexual acts with your flaring libido, always remember to stay safe and use appropriate protection. You can never be too sure.
References:
Before engaging into any sexual acts with your flaring libido, always remember to stay safe and use appropriate protection. You can never be too sure.
References:
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