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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. If not treated promptly, the disease has a high risk of causing dangerous complications for the patient, even death.
1. What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can cause serious health complications if not adequately and promptly treated.
In 2018, there were 115,045 new diagnoses of syphilis (all stages), compared with 38,739 new HIV diagnoses in 2017 and 583,405 gonorrhea cases in 2018. Of the syphilis cases, 35,063 were in the primary and secondary stages (P&S), the earliest and most contagious stages of syphilis. In 2018, the majority of P&S syphilis cases occurred in gay men, other men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2018, MSM accounted for 77.6% of all P&S syphilis cases. However, in recent years, the prevalence of P&S syphilis has been increasing in the MSM group in both men and women. gender.
Congenital syphilis (syphilis transmitted from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby) continues to be a concern in the United States. In 2018, 1,303 cases of congenital syphilis were reported, compared with 73 cases of perinatal HIV infection in 2017.
2. The “preferred” sites of syphilis bacteria
Syphilis bacteria enter the body of a healthy person through oral, vaginal or anal sex. In addition, the disease can be spread through infected utensils, objects, scratches, sores... In addition, the disease can be transmitted through blood, such as using needles that are not used properly. sterile, transmitted from mother to child.
Lesions caused by syphilis bacteria are usually only one and appear right where the bacteria entered the body. Often bacteria will enter through sores in the genitals (>90%), anus ... besides, syphilis bacteria can also appear in some other locations such as lips, tongue, mouth (due to oral sex), fingers, back, forehead, breasts...
3. Signs of syphilis
The signs of syphilis often resemble the symptoms of many other diseases. However, the symptoms of syphilis often become apparent when the disease has progressed to a certain stage for weeks, months, or even years.
Some common signs in a patient with syphilis include:
Painless sores appear Fever Hair loss Muscle pain Loss of appetite Sore throat Swelling of throat Dementia Dementia Decreased mobility and movement coordination Difficulty speaking Convulsions, tremors Affected vision Blindness Hearing loss Syphilis can invade the nervous system at any stage of infection and cause a wide range of symptoms, including including headaches, behavioral changes, difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, sensory deficits, and memory loss. This process is called neurosyphilis.
Like neurosyphilis, visual syphilis can occur at any stage of infection. Visual syphilis can involve almost any eye structure, but is primarily posterior uveitis. Symptoms include vision changes, decreased vision, and permanent blindness.
4. Syphilis prevention
Correct use of condoms can reduce the risk of syphilis. However, the safest way to avoid the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, is to avoid sexual contact when your partner's health status is unknown.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package of Examination and Screening for social diseases to help customers detect diseases early and have effective treatment and prevent dangerous complications. The screening package for social diseases at Vinmec is for all ages, both men and women.
When registering for the Social Disease Screening Package, customers will receive: Dermatology specialist examination; Perform tests such as: HIV Ab rapid test, Chlamydia rapid test, Treponema pallidium rapid test, qualitative and quantitative Treponema pallidum TPHA test, bacteriological smear test and staining fungal test soi...
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE.
Reference source: Webmd.com; Cdc.gov
SEE ALSO:
Syphilis: Causes, transmission, signs to recognize Syphilis can be transmitted from mother to child through the placenta How is syphilis treated?