Syphilis is a sexually
transmitted infection caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. Syphilis
is most commonly spread through sexual activity. It may also be transmitted
from mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth.
The exact origin of syphilis is disputed. Syphilis was
indisputably present in the Americas before European contact. The dispute is
over whether or not syphilis was also present elsewhere in the world at that
time. Some people report that syphilis was carried from the Americas to Europe
by the returning crewmen from Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas,
while others say that syphilis existed in Europe previously, but went
unrecognized until shortly after Columbus' return. These are referred to as the
Columbian and pre-Columbian hypotheses respectively. The
Columbian hypothesis is best supported by the available evidence. The first
written records of an outbreak of syphilis in Europe occurred in 1494 or 1495
in Naples, Italy, during a French invasion (Italian War of 1494–98). As it was
claimed to have been spread by French troops, it was initially known as the
"French disease" by the people of Naples. In 1530, the pastoral name
"syphilis" (the name of a character) was first used by the Italian
physician and poet Girolamo Fracastoro as the title of his Latin poem, describing
the ravages of the disease in Italy. It was also known historically as the
"Great Pox".
Many famous historical figures, including Franz Schubert,
Arthur Schopenhauer, Édouard Manet, are believed to have had the disease. Friedrich
Nietzsche was long believed to have gone mad as a result of tertiary syphilis,
but that diagnosis has recently come into question
The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending in
which of the four stages it presents (primary, secondary, latent, and
tertiary).
The primary stage classically presents with a single firm,
painless, non-itchy skin ulcer, known as chancre, however there may be multiple
sores (common in people who are also infected with HIV). The most common
location in women is the cervix (44%), the penis in heterosexual men (99%), and
anally and rectally relatively commonly in men who have sex with men (34%). This
chancre may persist for three to six weeks and disappears even without
treatment.
In secondary syphilis, a rash which frequently involves
the palms of the hands and soles of the feet occurs. There may also be sores in
the mouth or vagina. Other symptoms may include fever, sore throat, weight loss,
hair loss, and headache. Many people have reported having secondary syphilis
without having the chancre in primary syphilis.
In latent syphilis there are little to no symptoms which can last for years. In tertiary
syphilis there are soft growths known as gummas and problems involving the
heart and nerves. Syphilis has been known as "the great imitator" as it may cause symptoms similar to many
other diseases.
Tertiary syphilis may occur approximately 3 to 15 years
after the initial infection, and may be divided into three different forms:
·
Gummatous syphilis –
involves development of gummas which remain for a long time. They typically
affect the skin, bone, and liver, but can occur anywhere.
·
Late neurosyphilis - refers
to an infection involving the brain. The person can experience poor balance and
lightning pains in the legs. Late neurosyphilis typically occurs 4 to 25 years
after the initial infection.
·
Cardiovascular syphilis
- Cardiovascular syphilis usually occurs 10–30 years after the initial
infection.
People with tertiary syphilis cannot infect others.
Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity.
It may also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth. The
risk of syphilis can be decreased by latex condom use or not having sex.
Syphilis can be effectively treated with antibiotics. The
preferred antibiotic for most cases is benzathine penicillin G injected into a
muscle. In those who are allergic to penicillin, doxycycline or tetracycline
may be used.
During treatment people may develop fever, headache, and muscle
pains. This is a reaction to the treatment. It frequently starts within one
hour and lasts for 24 hours. In medicine, it is known as Jarisch-Herxheimer
reaction.
In 2013 syphilis infected about 315,000 people. During
2010 it caused about 113,000 deaths down from 202,000 in 1990. In 2015, Cuba
became the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission
of syphilis.
POWERFUL GUIDE TO SYPHILIS PREVENTION
Syphilis is sexually transmitted, therefore safe sex practices is the best method of prevention, in the absence of abstainence.
If you think you have signs and symptoms of syphilis,
contact your Doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
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