Syphilis

 

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease, which is caused by a bacterial organism called Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has been seen since a very long time and has been known to affect humans since many centuries. Treponema pallidum is a spiral organism and it infects the mucous covered lining of the mouth and genitals. The spirochete is known to cause a painless ulcer which is called chancre.

 

 

Common signs and symptoms include:

1. Formation of the painless ulcer also known as the chancre. It is highly contagious.

2. Skin rash which appears on the palms of hands and the soles of the feet.

3. Fever

4. Headaches

5. Patches in the mouth, nose, and vagina

 

 

1. It is a sexually transmitted disease and can be caused by unsafe sexual practices and sexual contact with an infected individual.

2. A woman suffering from syphilis may pass on the disease to the fetus she is carrying, giving rise to congenital syphilis.

 

 

1. Observing the scrapings taken from the ulcers under the microscope.

2. Rapid screening tests are done by VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory) tests and rapid plasminogen reagent (RPR) test also known as the RPR tests.

3. Hemagglutinin assays are also employed to check for the presence of Treponema pallidum by tests such as Treponema pallidum hemagglutinin assay (TPHA) and micro-hemagglutinin assays. Another commonly used test to detect the Treponema pallidum is fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test.

 

 

1. Syphilis can be treated with medicines depending on the stage and severity of the disease.

2. Medications include long-acting penicillin

3. Pregnant women suffering from syphilis should take necessary precautions and medications.