Syphilis

Syphilis is a contagious sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It leads to a variety of symptoms depending on the stage of infection, which may be primary, secondary, or tertiary. Accordingly, the symptoms may range from mild skin ulcers to more severe complications.

Stages of Syphilis

There are three main stages of syphilis:

-Primary stage: Also known as early or primary syphilis.

-Secondary stage: Lasts from one to three months and begins about 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure.

-Tertiary stage: Occurs when the infection is left untreated, leading to serious complications.

Symptoms of Syphilis

Symptoms vary depending on the stage of the disease:

1. Primary Stage Symptoms
In this stage, the patient develops one or more sores that resemble a large, round insect bite. These sores are often firm and painless.
They appear on the genitals, inside the mouth, or around the mouth, usually 10 to 90 days after exposure.
These sores typically heal within six weeks without leaving any scars, even without treatment.

2. Secondary Stage Symptoms
Symptoms of this stage may include:

-A pink rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

-Soft warts in the groin area

-White patches inside the mouth

-Swollen lymph nodes

-Fever

-Weight loss

Like the primary stage, these symptoms may also disappear without treatment.

3. Tertiary Stage Symptoms
If the infection is not treated, it may progress to this stage, characterized by serious and dangerous problems such as damage to the heart and brain.

Modes of Transmission

Syphilis is transmitted through:

-Direct sexual contact with an infected person

-Kissing or touching infected areas such as the genitals or mouth

-Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy (congenital syphilis), ---which can cause fetal deformities or death

-Blood transfusion

-Exposure through cuts or wounds infected with the bacteria

Complications of Syphilis

If left untreated, syphilis can lead to:

-Blindness

-Dementia

-Deafness