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Knowing More about Syphilis

Overview

One of the most popular and dangerous transmitted diseases today is Syphilis. Syphilis should be feared in the same manner that people fear AIDS, which is another dreadful disease. For many years, Syphilis has been believed to have originated from Europe and became a foreign disease in the United States. However, the question is what is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI), which is caused by a spirochaete bacterium referred to as Treponema pallidum. This bacterium is transferred from one individual to another primarily during sexual intercourse. It can also be acquired from an infected mother or person. Syphilis can also be contracted through direct or close contact with the mouth, rectum, or genitals of an infected individual.

More often than, infected individuals confuse Syphilis with other diseases and infections. This is because it has countless presentations. Syphilis can be passed to another person with syphilis sore. Sores primarily appear on the external genitals, rectum, or anus. In the case of an infected mother, Syphilis can be passed to an infant during pregnancy; thus, causing congenital syphilis. Young people are more prone to incidence of Syphilis specifically those at the ages of 15 and 30. However, anybody who is active can also become infected. Syphilis is more widespread in urban areas as compared to rural ones.

Syphilis can be either acquired or congenital. Syphilis symptoms can be prevalent within 3 weeks of contact with an individual infected with the disease. Syphilis symptoms can be different from one infected person to another.

Syphilis cannot be acquired by simply using things that were used by an infected individual. It cannot spread in doorknobs, hot tubs, swimming pools, bathtubs, toilet seats, eating utensils, or shared clothing.

Health officials in the United States have reported that there are more than 36,000 cases of Syphilis in 2006 of which, 9,756 cases are in the primary and secondary stages. During this year, half of the cases in the secondary stages were reported from 2 cities and 20 counties in individuals ranging from 20 to 39 years old. The incidence of Syphilis was highest among women with ages 20 to 24 and in men with ages 35 to 35 years old. The reported cases of congenital Syphilis in newborns have also increased by 10 cases from 339 to 349 cases.

Causes

Syphilis can be transmitted through sexual intercourse just like any other sexually transmitted diseases or infections. The bacterium can penetrate through breaks in the columnar epithelium and squamous of the skin. Once an individual gets infected, there is a great chance that his/her partner can be infected as well. Couples, more often than not, are greatly mistaken that they cannot become infected with Syphilis through mutual masturbation or foreplay. A mere contact with the skin’s infected area is enough to transmit the bacterium. The bacterium enters the body through mucus membranes.

Another cause of Syphilis is transmission. More often than not, Syphilis is developed through contracting the infection by having direct contact with infected individuals. This occurs by oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse. The bacteria can be passed to an individual when there is direct contact with an open sore or chancre. The sores can manifest on the external genitalia, anus, or rectum. In addition, the sores can also manifest in or around the mouth or lips.

Using a needle, which has been used by an infected individual, can also cause Syphilis. In the same manner, the disease can also spread through blood transfusion. This is the reason blood banks in Canada and the United States make it a point that all donated blood is screened for Syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Symptoms of Syphilis

Syphilis symptoms begin with a simple infection often mistaken as a mere rash or skin breakout. The infection manifests as a sore in the genitals or any other opening in the skin or body. The infection is usually small although it may be noticeable. Other Syphilis symptoms include swelling of the glands specifically in the groin area. The groin area can become sore as well as tender. Since an infected individual may not feel sick at the start of the Syphilis symptoms, he/she may think that the sore will just disappear. However, the infected individual will notice eventually that the sore is still there even after a few weeks.

Syphilis can spread quickly, which is why people should not take for granted its symptoms or signs during the early stage. During the second stage of Syphilis symptoms, an individual may feel sick with pains and aches all over the body. More so, the individual will begin having fevers and rashes. An infected individual can also start noticing his/her hair begins to fall out although these symptoms or signs will not last. However, as soon as these signs manifest, the infected individual should not take them for granted.

During the third stage of Syphilis, there will be no symptoms; however, this is the stage that lasts for a few months to years. Although there are no major symptoms and the infection may seem to have disappeared, Syphilis can be seen in blood tests. This is the reason why individuals who experience first signs of the disease should undergo Syphilis testing.

The final stage of Syphilis is the most painful of all the stages. These include symptoms of painful fixed ulcers on the skin and legions in bones and joints among others. This is the stage where Syphilis can become gravely hazardous to one’s health and may even cause death because it has already affected the individual’s nervous system.

Syphilis symptoms can be spotted easily as long as individual discards the belief that he/she is immune to infections. People should accept the fact that sexually transmitted diseases can endanger health and life.

Syphilis Testing

The procedure for Syphilis test depends on the stage of the disease. For instance, if an individual has a sore or chancre, the doctor or STD specialist may get a swab sample to examine through dark field microscopy. This checks the presence of the bacteria. In some cases, doctors make use of direct fluorescent antibody testing in order to detect if Syphilis bacteria is present.

In general, Syphilis test involves using of blood sample for analysis. On the other hand, blood test is not considered 100% accurate. Some reports claim that blood tests have failed to detect the presence of the Syphilis bacteria in the blood.

One of the most common forms of Syphilis testing is dark field microscopy, which is a method for early detection of the disease. It is considered as the best option for Syphilis testing. However, most clinics do not have access to this type of Syphilis test. Thus, it is best for an individual suspected to have Syphilis to scout for clinics that have dark field microscopy

During blood tests, doctors look for the presence of Syphilis antibodies. This means that blood tests do not look for the bacteria. When there is Syphilis antibodies present in the blood, it may indicate that the individual might be infected with the disease. On the other hand, the antibodies may still be detected even after a few years of treating the disease. The presence of the antibodies may not indicate that Syphilis bacteria are also present. Thus, the presence of the antibodies may not be 100% accurate.

In earlier stages of Syphilis, a lesion referred to as chancre will develop during the peak of sexual intercourse and mend for a few weeks. In this primary stage, doctors or STD specialists conduct a physical examination as part of Syphilis testing. Fluid samples are taken from the chancre or sore. The second stage of Syphilis occurs after a month to 6 months of the primary stage. The infection continues to set off into dormancy and no further signs or symptoms may manifest. In this stage, doctors check if there are signs of body rash as well as lymph nodes. Blood tests are also conducted to check for the presence of antibodies. The final stage of Syphilis takes place from a year to 10 years following earlier stages. This tertiary phase can also last for up to 50 years. In this stage, a cerebrospinal is including in the Syphilis testing. This process involves drawing out some spinal fluid to determine the degree or level of infection.

When it comes to Syphilis testing and diagnosis, blood tests can be conducted to check for the bacterium. Some other forms of Syphilis test for early detection include venereal diseases research laboratory (VDRL) test, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR), and FTA-ABS. Doctors may ask the infected individuals to take antibiotics for treatment. More often than not, penicillin is the antibiotic preferred for use of treating the disease. The dosage depends on the stage of the disease. In addition, the antibiotic may either be administered into a vein or muscle. A substitute treatment for individuals who are allergic or sensitive to penicillin is Doxycycline.

The signs and symptoms of Syphilis usually disappear within a day; however, individuals who suspect of having the diseases should have follow-up blood tests to make sure that the bacteria or infection is already gone. In addition, individuals who are undergoing their 2 follow-up tests should avoid having sexual intercourse. Syphilis is most transmittable during its primary and secondary stages. Furthermore, doctors are obliged to report cases of Syphilis to health authorities in their communities to determine and treat contaminated sexual partners.

Syphilis Test: Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)

Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) is a type of Syphilis test, which looks for antibodies present in the blood of infected individuals. This Syphilis test is almost the same with the venereal diseases research laboratory (VDRL) test.

RPR is performed by drawing blood from a vein of an infected individual. The blood may come from the back of the hand or the inside of the elbow. The area where the blood is drawn should be cleaned with antiseptic or germ-killing medicine. The doctor or STD specialist wraps an elastic band around the upper arm so pressure can be applied to the area as well as makes the vein distend with blood.

The next step in the RPR involves a needle being inserted into the vein by the doctor. The blood would be collected into an airtight tube or vial, which is attached to the needle. The elastic band will then be removed from the upper arm.

Once the doctor has already collected enough blood for testing and analysis, the needle will be removed. The punctured area would be covered to stop bleeding if any.

In the case of infants, a sharp tool referred to as a lancet may be used in puncturing the skin and cause the bleeding. The blood is collected into a small glass vial referred to as the pipette or a test or slide strip. The punctured area may also be covered if needed.

The results of this type of Syphilis test may be either normal or abnormal. Normal values indicate that the test result is negative. On the other hand, the body does not manifest antibodies all the time especially in response to the bacterium. More often than not, false-negatives occur in individuals in the early and late stages of Syphilis. Thus, more testing should be conducted to make sure that the bacteria are not present in the body.

Meanwhile, abnormal values may indicate that the test result is positive. This means that the individual has Syphilis. In this case where the result is positive, the next step is to verify the diagnosis through a more specific and accurate test such as FTA-ABS. This test will be able to help in determining if the infection is Syphilis or another type of disease.

The detection and accuracy of the RPR test depends on the Syphilis stage. It is most accurate and sensitive during the second phase of Syphilis. However, it is less accurate during the early and late stages of the infection.

Individuals who have undergone or still undergoing Syphillis treatment should abstain from sexual intercourse with their partners until the chancre or sores are healed completely. Infected individuals should also make their sexual partners aware of their condition so that they can also be tested and treated.

Syphilis and HIV

The chancres or genital sores caused by Syphilis can make it easier to acquire and transmit HIV infection during sexual intercourse. The risk of acquiring HIV when exposed to an individual infected with Syphilis is 2- to 5-fold risk.

Ulcerative STDs like Syphilis, which cause sores, breaks, or ulcers in the skin or mucous membranes, disorganize barriers that give protection against infection. The genital ulcers can bleed easily and may increase the susceptibility to HIV during contact with rectal or oral mucosa when having sex. STDs like Syphilis can be an essential predictor for become infected with HIV since they are markers for behaviors in terms of transmitting HIV.

Syphilis Recurrence and Prevention

Syphilis can recur if an individual who was once infected does not prevent it. People can still have Syphilis even after successful treatment. Laboratory tests are ways of confirming if an individual has Syphilis. Since the sores or chancres caused by Syphilis can be hidden in the genital area, mouth, or rectum, they may not be noticeable to the sexual partners of an infected individual.

The best way to avoid transmitting Syphilis or any other sexually transmitted disease is to abstain from sexual intercourse. However, people can also have a long-term monogamous relationship with the same person who has already been tested and negative of STDs

Another way of preventing Syphilis is avoiding the use of drugs and alcohol. These are activities that often lead to unsafe and problematic sexual behavior. Sexual partners should be able to talk to each other about their health status or any history of STDs in order to prevent transmission.

Like any other genital ulcer diseases, Syphilis can occur in male and female genital areas, which are covered with latex condom. In the same manner, it can also occur in uncovered areas of the body. It is best to learn the correct usage of latex condoms and be consistent in using such in order to reduce the possibility of having Syphilis or any other type of STDs. On the other hand, latex condoms can only reduce the risk of STDS only if the infected area is covered or protected.

Some condoms that are lubricated with spermicides specifically N-9 or Nonoxynol-9 offer the same protection as other lubricated condoms. This means that it is not better than other lubricated condoms. In fact, the use of lubricated condoms with N-9 is not recommended for preventing STD like Syphilis or HIV. In addition, washing the genitals, douching, or urinating after sexual intercourse, does not prevent the transmission of Syphilis or any other STDs. It is best to refrain from having sexual contact and seek professional help immediately for Syphilis testing as soon as any sore, rash, or unusual discharge becomes visible in the genital area, mouth, or rectum.