|
Syphilis
Syphilis is a more serious venereal disease than gonorrhea, but its occurrence is far less common. Syphilis is caused by bacteria which live only in humans. The bacteria can penetrate the mucous membrane (linings) of the mouth, vagina, and the penile urethra. Syphilis is currently most prevalent in homosexual men. The incubation period (time of exposure to onset of symptoms) is 2-3 weeks but may be longer (2 months). The symptoms of syphilis are described in relation to the "stage" of the disease. The FIRST stage is typified by the development of a chancre. The chancre is a painless, hard, red, ulcerated sore that often develops in men on the genitals (occasionally it will be on the tongue or in the rectum). In females, the chancre often will go unnoticed secondary to its appearance on the cervix or inside the vagina. Treatment at this point will halt progression to the second stage. The SECOND stage of syphilis (2-6 weeks after the chancre has healed) is characterized by fever, headache, malaise, body aches, and loss of appetite. Patients may have joint pains, enlarged lymph nodes, and a red scaly, generalized skin rash with bumps that do not itch. In the THIRD stage of the disease, the patient will experience "flares" without warning. Multiple organs may be affected. Involvement of the brain may cause insanity, paralysis, and loss of sensation in the extremities (tabes dorsalis). Heart involvement can cause destruction of the heart valves (aortic valve) and destruction of the aorta (the largest artery in the body). Diagnosis is usually made by physical examination and the typical chancre lesion is shown to be present.. A serologic blood test (VDRL or RPR) can confirm the diagnosis, particularly in the SECOND stage when symptoms may be attributed to another cause. The THIRD stage of syphilis is infrequently seen in this country due to the accessibility of early antibiotic treatment. Syphilis may also be passed from mother to her newborn. Treatment is with high dose penicillin. Injections of penicillin may accompany oral doses taken over a period of time. Close medical follow-up is important. Alternative antibiotics include erythromycin and tetracycline.
|
