What is syphilis? Syphilis (say: ...

What is syphilis?

Syphilis (say: sif-ih-liss) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by way of a bacterium named Treponema pallidum. (say: Trep-oh-nee-mah pal-lih-dum). If syphilis is not treated, it can cause serious question s The good news is that syphilis usually can be cur with penicillin or another antibiotic.

What are the stages and signs of syphilis?

Syphilis has four stages, depending in succession how long a person has had the disease. Each stage can have different signs.

Primary syphilis is the first stage. If you were infected lately you may have a painless sore at the opening to your vagina or onward your penis. This sore is called a chancre (say: shan-ker). Usually there is single one chancre, but there can be more.

If primary syphilis is not treated, it employs into secondary syphilis. You may have flu-like symptoms and a rash forward your entire body. You may have skin sores called condyloma latum (say: kon-dih-low-mah lah-tum). These warty sores usually expand near your vagina or penis, or near your rectum You also may have question s with your liver, kidneys, and other organs.

The nearest stage is latent syphilis. In this stage, you have no signs of syphilis, if it be not that blood tests show that you are still infected.

Late syphilis is untreated syphilis that has been at hand for many years. If you have late syphilis, you may unravel gummas (say: gum-mahs). These are rubbery sores forward your skin or on organs inside your carcass You also can have question s with your heart and kindred vessels. One of the in the greatest degree serious problems that can happen is a brain infection called neurosyphilis. This infection can cause abnormal hearing, vision, or thinking, and death.

to what degree is syphilis diagnosed?

If you have a skin sore, scrapings from the sore may be anticipateed at under a microscope.

More ofttimes doctors rely on blood trials Several blood tests are distressed to be sure that syphilis is present

A spinal tap is done if there is make anxious that syphilis has spread to your brain. For this proof fluid is taken from around your spinal cord and standarded for signs of neurosyphilis.

to what degree is syphilis treated?

Syphilis usually can be cur with penicillin. If you are allergic to penicillin, you might be treated with another image of antibiotic.

What otherwise should I think about if I have syphilis?

Because syphilis is an STD it is important for all your sexual partners to be ordealed and treated. It is also important to talk to your doctor about being trialed for other STDs. Talk to your doctor about how--and when--to safely recommence sexual activity.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group