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Primary:
In this stage the time between the infection and the start of
first symptom may occur from ten days to three months after
exposure. The primary stage of syphilis is noted by the
appearance of a small, painless sore on the part of the body
especially on the rectum, lips, tongue or genitals. There may be
multiple sores in future. The sores appear generally where
syphilis enters the body. Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area
are also the primary symptom of syphilis. The sores can be there
for about three to six weeks and sometimes could be healed
without treatment. However, if proper treatment is not given the
underlying disease can lead to the secondary stage of syphilis.
Secondary: The secondary
stage of syphilis generally begins three to six weeks after the
sore appears and is characterized by a rash on or more areas of
the body.
The Symptoms include the following |
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a) Rashes on the skin that are
reddish brown.
b) Fever.
c) Penny sized sores on any area of the boy including sole and
palms.
d) Swollen lymph glands.
e) Fatigue.
f) Headaches.
g) Sore throat.
h) Aching in bones and joints.
i) Hair loss.
j) Weight loss.
The rashes that occur in secondary stage of syphilis appear as
the sore is healing or after the sore is healed. The signs and
symptoms may disappear and can reappear up to two years. If the
treatment is not given at the right time the infection can
advance to the next stage of syphilis.
Tertiary: When secondary
symptoms of syphilis begin to disappear, the tertiary or the
latent stage of syphilis begins. In this stage if proper
treatment is not given the bacteria may spread leading to
serious internal organ damage and death of the brain, heart,
nerves, eyes bones, liver, blood vessels etc. the damage may be
noticed after many years.
The Symptoms of Tertiary Syphilis include
1. Cardiovascular Problems: Bulging and inflammation of aorta,
artery and other blood vessels.
2. Neurologic problems: This is characterised by inflammation
and infection of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain
and spinal cord, paralysis, numbness, stroke, gradual blindness,
deafness, difficulty in coordinating muscle movements etc. These
damages may be serious and can lead to death.
Apart from the ones mentioned above we have something called the
congenital syphilis. This type of syphilis is present in utero
and at birth. It occurs when a child is born to a mother with
secondary or tertiary syphilis. The symptoms of congenital
syphilis include Hutchinson’s teeth that is characterised by
centrally notched, widely-spaced peg-shaped upper central
incisors, poorly developed maxillae, lymph node enlargement,
jaundice, anaemia,mulberry molars, enlarged liver, enlarged
spleen etc. The child can be affected up to two years of age.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of syphilis is usually done by scraping a small
part of the infected area and testing it under a microscope.
Through this the bacteria present can be noted. Another way of
diagnosing is through the blood test. After syphilis infection
occurs in the body, the body produces syphilis antibodies that
can be detected through a blood test.
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Treatment
The disease is easy to cure during the early stages. The first
choice of treatment is the penicillin in the form of Benzathine
penicillin. This can be used for primary, secondary as well as
early latent stages of syphilis. With penicillin the bacterium
that causes syphilis can be killed and the progression of the
infection can be stopped. For a person with syphilis with less
than one year a single dose of penicillin is enough to cure
however, additional doses are required for people who are
infected with syphilis for more than a year. People who are
allergic to penicillin are generally treated with oral
tetracyclines. If during the latent stages of syphilis, if the
CSF examination shows the evidence of neurosyphilis, then about
7.2 million units of benzathine penicillin G is suggested and if
the examination shows no evidence of neurosyphilis, then about
18-24 million units of benzathine penicillin G is recommended.
Tetracyclines are not recommended for pregnant |
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