Right from the time we started exploring sexually transmitted infections as a topic, we have been able to successfully describe different existing infections, from Genital Herpes to HPV, and even Gonorrhea, and personally for me, exploring these infections remains a firm reminder to me, that these infections are real and there is a basic call for acting right with our sexual practices.
Last week when I wrote about Gonorrhea, I did not fail to mention that,
Gonorrhea is the second most popular case of STI after chlamydia, gonorrhea and chlamydia infections often go hand in hand and around half of the infection that happens to people, happens to them between the age of 15-24. Remember we already established the fact that, gonorrhea does not come with clear symptoms but when it does, it may include; Read about it. Moving on with unveiling more of the available sexually transmitted infections, we move today to Syphilis.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection, of course, spread through sexual contact, it actually often starts as a painless sore active on the rectum, on the genitals, or even on the mouth. Syphilis actually spreads from one person to another through the skin or the mucous membrane contact with the sores. After a successful phase of infection, syphilis bacteria could stay inactive in the body for several decades before they get active again, when the signs of syphilis are discovered on time, it can actually be cured, sometimes in a very simple way, probably through a single shot of injection thereabout, but the complication comes with when it is not detected timely enough.
Syphilis is actually caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum, the bacteria spreads to the other body through sexual contact. For a long time, there have been so many cases of syphilis survival, the treatments for syphilis are so common that it got to a point where people began to think that complete eradication was a possibility.
The development of syphilis is in different stages, the symptoms are in different stages and the symptoms may overlap as they do not always occur in the same order. There is a possibility of getting infected with syphilis without even noticing the symptoms for several years.
We have primary syphilis, which is usually the first stage of syphilis, which often comes in form of a small sore, called a chancre (SHANG-kur). The sore comes up at spots where the bacteria through into the body, some people develop just one, but others develop several chancres. After around three weeks after exposure is when the chancre begins to show and it may even go unnoticeable because it is often painless and may be hidden within the rectum or vagina. Usually, the chancre would heal up on its own within 3-6 weeks.
Secondary syphilis happens a few weeks before the healing process of the chancre, a rash could be noticed, beginning on the trunk and eventually spreads through the entire body, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The rash is often not an itchy one and could also come with wart-like sores in the genital regions or the mouth, there are also cases of hair loss, muscle aches, fever, sore throat, and even swollen lymph nodes, the symptoms and signs could disappear within a few weeks or even come even for as long as a year.
If syphilis is not treated, it moves to the stage of latent syphilis, the disease at this point moves from the secondary stage to its hidden (latent) stage where symptoms are not displayed. This latent stage could last for years and the symptoms and signs may never even return, and in other cases, it could even progress to the third stage which is the tertiary phase.
The tertiary phase of those infected with syphilis is when complications arise due to syphilis when treatment is not gotten. At this late stage, the disease has the ability to damage the nerves, blood vessels, brain, eyes, liver, joints, bones, and even joints. This could re-occur after years of untreated infection.
The Neurosyphilis stage of syphilis infection can spread and cause damage to the brain, the eye, and even to the nervous system amongst other damages.
Congenital syphilis is for babies who were born by mothers who have syphilis, they could get infected through the placenta or during birth. Most of the newborns that have congenital syphilis have no symptoms, although some of the babies could have rashes on their palms and sores on their feet. Other advanced stages of congenital syphilis include; teeth deformities, saddle nose, and deafness. Not all babies born with syphilis however live to tell the story, they could either die in the womb before birth or they could possibly die after birth.
There is a random belief that syphilis can be contracted through sharing the toilet, wearing someone else's cloth, and even using someone else's utensils all false and that is because the bacteria Treponema pallidum, causing syphilis cannot exist for long outside of the human body.
Anyone can actually contract syphilis, there are certain factors that can increase your chances of getting a syphilis infection;
- Those whose partners have syphilis.
- Men who have sexual intercourse with the same gender.
- Those with HIV.
- Those who have sex without any form of protection like a condom.
- People with multiple sexual partners.
It is expected that pregnant mothers get tested for syphilis at least once during their pregnancy period. Tests to determine the presence of syphilis are; Blood tests, darkfield microscopy, and cerebrospinal fluid tests.
Conclusion.
The fact that you have been treated once for syphilis does not mean you cannot have it again, protecting yourself from getting this sexually transmitted infections is a very safe thing to do. It may not be obvious that your partner has syphilis as the sores in the vagina, mouth, anus and underneath the penis could be hidden and highly difficult to see.