Syphilis is a bacterial
infection that usually affects the genitals. If left untreated, it can affect other parts of the
body and may be fatal.
What causes it?
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum , which enters the body through the mucous membranes of the genital area or the skin.
What are the
symptoms?
Symptoms develop in three stages.
In the primary stage, symptoms may take up to 12 weeks to appear after
infection. One or more painless sores (chancres) appear at the place where the infection entered the body.
In women, they may appear on the vulva, clitoris or cervix, or around the urethra. In men, they may appear on the penis or foreskin. In both sexes, they can also appear around the anus and mouth. The sores may take between two to six weeks to heal.
The secondary stage develops within the next two years if the infection isn''t treated. Symptoms include:
A non-itchy rash covering the whole body or appearing in patches
A flu-like illness with tiredness
Loss of appetite
Swollen glands
Patchy hair loss
Flat wart-like growths on the vulva in women and around the anus in both sexes
White patches on the tongue or the roof of the mouth
The tertiary or latent stage occurs any time after the first two years. Some people have no further symptoms, others may develop symptoms up to 20 years later.
These can include personality changes, mental illness, meningitis, aortic aneurysm, and joint and nervous system damage causing weakness and walking difficulties.
Primary and secondary stages are very infectious, while the tertiary stage is not.
Who''s affected?
Although it''s not common, syphilis is still around. Between 2004 and 2005, the number of diagnosed cases in the UK increased by 23 per cent.
A pregnant woman with syphilis can pass the disease to her unborn child. Screening during pregnancy, however, has made congenital syphilis rare.
Can it be prevented?
Practising safer sex reduces the chance of contracting the infection. If one partner has the infection, sexual contact should be avoided until the infection has been treated.
What''s the treatment?
Treatment usually involves a two-week course of penicillin injections or, in some cases, antibiotic tablets or capsules.