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Syphilis – General

Article
Sexual Health
Diseases & Conditions
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Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBADec 30, 2018

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Great Pox
  • Luetic Disease
  • Treponemal Disease

What is General Syphilis? (Definition/Background Information)

  • Syphilis is a very common infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is generally transmitted through sexual contact. A pregnant woman affected by Syphilis can transmit the infection to her child through the placenta, while the baby is still in the womb
  • The disease leads to formation of lesions on the body, especially around the anus, genitalia, and mouth. Any contact with these ulcerative lesions result in a transmission of the condition
  • There are 3 stages in the progression of Syphilis; Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. The sooner the treatment is started, better is the outcome. If treatment is delayed or is lacking; it could develop into a serious medical issue with long-term neurological complications. In rare cases, the complications can even lead to death
  • The universal treatment for this condition (at all stages) is by using the drug penicillin, which can bring about a complete recovery. However, early recognition and management of the condition is extremely important

Who gets General Syphilis? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Sexually mature men and women who are infected by Treponema bacteria contract Syphilis. Occasionally, even teenagers (as young as 15 years) are affected by this infectious condition
  • No gender preference or racial predilection is observed. However, according to a CDC report (CDC.gov release, 2006) the male-female incidence for Syphilis - Primary & Secondary, stands at 6:1
  • In certain geographical regions with lower socio-economic standards and insufficient access to proper healthcare; it is found that the general incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including Syphilis is higher

What are the Risk Factors for General Syphilis? (Predisposing Factors)

Risk factors for Syphilis may include:

  • Having a new sex partner (a carrier of Syphilis)
  • Multiple sex partners
  • Not practicing safe sex
  • Having sex with individuals who have STDs
  • Having a same-sex partner(s). The incidence of Syphilis is extremely high among men (according to a CDC study, up to 72% of all new cases in 2011, were owing to this single factor)
  • Increased use of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, Viagra); leading to high-risk behavior, such as ‘sex for drugs’
  • Untreated pregnant women with syphilis, have a very high risk (90% chance) of passing on the infectious bacteria to the baby in the womb. This causes Congenital Syphilis
  • Transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products (contaminated by the syphilitic bacteria)

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of General Syphilis? (Etiology)

  • Syphilis is a contagious bacterial infection that is transmitted through sex with an affected individual. It is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum
  • An individual’s skin lesions and mucus membranes carry the pathogen, which then spreads to their partner(s) during all forms of sexual contact (even through kissing), causing an infection. It infects the mouth, anus, and genitals of males and females
  • Syphilis has three distinct stages of progression; each stage more aggressive than the previous one: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary
  • Syphilis – Tertiary is classified into three key types: Neurosyphilis, Cardiovascular Syphilis, and Gummatous Syphilis

What are the Signs and Symptoms of General Syphilis?

Each stage of Syphilis presents a different set of signs and symptoms. The progression to higher stages occurs because of non-treatment. These include:

Syphilis – Primary:

  • Formation of small painless sores (called chancres) on the genitals or anus, that remain unnoticed sometimes
  • The sores may take anywhere from 3-90 days to appear, and heal within 6 weeks

Syphilis – Secondary:

  • Formation of ulcerative skin rashes on the trunk, genitals, mouth, palms, and soles of feet
  • Fever, muscle aches, sore throat
  • The symptoms may last a few weeks and completely disappear on their own, without treatment
  • The above symptoms may thereafter repeatedly occur, for about 1-2 years

After the secondary stage, there is a dormant (asymptomatic) stage, known as Latent Syphilis which may last for many years (even decades). All infections do not progress to the final stage, which is called Tertiary Syphilis.

Syphilis –Tertiary:

  • Bone and joint pain
  • Neurological abnormalities; hearing loss, vision problems
  • Vital organs such as brain, heart, liver, and blood vessels are severely affected resulting in abnormal function of the affected parts

How is General Syphilis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of Syphilis may be made at any stage of the disease. A few diagnostic tests performed for Syphilis include the following:

  • Physical exam with evaluation of medical history
  • Blood test, for detecting antibodies against Syphilis
  • Exam of cerebrospinal fluid (lumbar puncture); in case of Neurosyphilis
  • Analysis of lesion fluids in the laboratory, under a microscope (dark field microscopy)

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of General Syphilis?

Complications due to Syphilis mainly occur during the final stages of disease progression. These include:

  • Severe neurological abnormalities
  • Destructive lesions at many places on the body, including bone and soft tissues
  • Complete loss of vision
  • Impaired hearing
  • Facial deformity due to formation of soft tissue fluid-filled tumors
  • Cardiovascular disorders such as heart attack and heart failure

How is General Syphilis Treated?

Prompt, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is the key to speedy recovery from Syphilis. The later the stage, the more difficult it becomes to treat the condition and avoid permanent injury (physical or neurological):

  • All manifestations of syphilis are treated using the antibiotic drug penicillin. This is given as an intramuscular injection (for a couple of weeks), or intravenously. Worldwide, penicillin is a cheap and easily available drug that is also simple to administer
  • If the individual is allergic to penicillin, then it is given in very small dosages and in a controlled manner, until the body gets sensitized (accustomed) to the drug

How can General Syphilis be Prevented?

  • Syphilis is classified as a venereal disease (VD) transmitted from one individual to another. This occurs during sexual contact with the infected lesions. It is a preventable and curable disease

The onus is on all sexually mature individuals to ensure that they are generally well-informed (either by their healthcare providers or public health authorities) of the sexually transmitted syphilitic infection. They have to be also aware of the preventive measures and precautions to be taken, which include:

  • Avoidance of multiple sex partners
  • Practice of safe sex (use of condoms that prevent entry of the syphilis bacteria)
  • Excessive craving for drugs and alcohol, may lead to unsafe practices such as ‘sex for drugs’
  • If you are frequently sexually active with multiple partners; then regular screening for sexually transmitted diseases is essential

What is the Prognosis of General Syphilis? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • Syphilis can be completely treated and cured, if an early diagnosis and proper management is rendered. A full recovery is possible and the outcome is excellent in such cases
  • The condition of infected individuals without treatment will progressively worsen over many years. Death under such circumstances is a possibility; especially if the disease has progressed into the advanced stages
  • The outcomes are poorer in individuals diagnosed with AIDS/HIV infection, or other opportunistic infections

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for General Syphilis:

  • If you are diagnosed with Syphilis (or other VDs), then inform of the condition to your sex partner(s). Abstain completely from sex until you are certified cured
  • Given the fact that there may be many years of symptom-free (latent) period; it is particularly important that regular screening and blood tests for Syphilis are undertaken
  • Pregnant women with untreated Syphilis can infect the baby in the womb. Hence, it is recommended that all pregnant women should undergo screening tests for Syphilis
  • Syphilis does not spread by non-human contact such as spas, hot tubs, toilet seats, and swimming pools
  • Syphilitic sores (oral, anal, penile, or vaginal) can increase the risk for acquiring HIV infections. CDC reports that such a risk of acquiring an HIV infection is increased 2-5 times
  • There are no home remedies to treat Syphilis
  • The treatment provided, even if it is during the later stages, helps prevent the infection from causing further damage. The damage to organs already occurred, cannot be reversed
  • It is important to note that Syphilis can reinfect a person even after successful treatment for a prior infection. Infection by Syphilis does not confer a lifelong immunity
  • Syphilis is classified as a ‘notifiable disease’ in many countries such as Canada, Europe, and USA. This means that by law, the government authorities are required to be notified of any such incidences
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Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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