Download Syphilis

Syphilis
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Name of STI/ STD: syphilis
street names/slang names: syfy, siff, syph, “the clap” “great imitator”
type of STI: bacterial infection, passed thorough one person to another during sexual contact also
involves oral or anal sex
Transmission
Direct Transmission- coming in contact with a syphilitic sore, known as a chancre through anal,
vaginal or oral sex
Vertical transmission- infected pregnant woman can also pass along the infection to her unborn
child
Prevention
1) Practice safer sex practices by using condoms each and every time you have sex
o Condoms- a latex sheath that is rolled over the penis to prevent secretions
including semen from entering the vagina
2) Use a dental dam for protection during oral sex
o Dental dams- a thin square of latex that can be used to prevent the spread of
sexually transmitted infections during oral sex. They can be bought in some
stores, or you can make your own using a condom or a latex glove
Fun Fact Dental Dams are called “dental” dams because they were originally designed as a
protective measure for dentists working on a patient’s teeth
Symptoms
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Untreated Syphilis infection can progress through four stages: primary,
secondary, latent and tertiary
most infectious in the first two stages, and does the most harm during the latent
and tertiary stage
Some people may not experience symptoms at all during some stages, and others
may have some symptoms and not others
Fun Fact- Syphilis produces a wide range of symptoms that mimic other illnesses. For this reason
it has become known as “the great imitator”, and is often very difficult to diagnose.
Primary Infection Symptoms
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single open sore at the point of infection, typically on the genitals, anus or throat
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sore will typically appear Between 10 to 90 days after infection (21 days on
average) and heal spontaneously in 3-8 weeks, but this does not mean that the
syphilis infection is gone or that the person is no longer infectious
the sore is painless and heals on its own but If you develop this sore, it is very
important to seek treatment
Secondary Infection Symptoms
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occur three months after contracting the infection
mimic flu symptoms and may include hair loss (including eyebrows and
eyelashes), muscle and joint pain, rashes (particularly on the palms and soles of
the feet), and fever and swollen glands
generally feel unwell and may lose weight
these symptoms will typically disappear on their own, but this does not mean that
the person is no longer infected or that they are can no longer transmit the
infection to others
usually lasts 3 to 12 weeks, but may persist for years until the infection moves
into the latent stage
Latent Infection Symptoms
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a person may still have “relapses” in which secondary symptoms will reappear
this stage will have no symptoms but does not mean they are no longer infected,
and in the early latent infection the person may still transmit the infection to
others
the syphilis bacteria may continue to multiply and infect the body
Last for one year to 30 years.
Tertiary Infection Symptoms
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occurs in 40% of untreated infected persons
This stage is very destructive
which the long-term damage caused by syphilis bacteria results in major internal
or external sores, serious cardiovascular and mental health problems, and damage
to other organs such as the eyes and ears
can lead to death.
Impact if not treated
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can cause potentially life-threatening complications
permanent damage to the brain, heart, bones, and blood vessels
can cause mental disorders or neurological problems (sometimes)
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children infected with syphilis at birth or before have congenital syphilis
Congenital syphilis cause serious medical complications or death
Syphilis can cause lesions and sores on the genitals or anus, it increases the risk
of HIV transmission
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Prevention and testing
testing method: serologic testing (diagnostic testing important optimal patient management. Used
to screen diagnose with treponema palladium which is bacteria that causes syphilis. Dects
antibodies in blood in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There is nontreponemal and treponemal types
available for syphilis testing. Must be require a second test that uses a different method to insure
a confirm positive result.
Prevention
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Effective antibiotic treatment
Needs to be supervised
Mother during pregnancy (foetal infection)
Babies require more antibiotics after birth
Condoms
Abstain or be monogamous: fogo having sex, mutually monogamous sex with a
partner who is uninfected.
Use latex condom: must cover the syphilis sores
Avoid recreational drugs: alcohol and other drugs can cause judgment to unsafe
sexual practices
Avoid sexual contact if either partner has visible sores, discharge, blisters, or bumps
on or around the genitals
Request STI testing following any unprotected sexual encounters.
If you become pregnant, get tested for syphilis
Get examined for any new sores, blisters, bumps, or rashes
Treatment
Penicillin is the antibiotic most commonly used to treat syphilis. Penicillin is usually given as a
shot (injection).
If you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescribe another antibiotic in early stages of
syphilis, such as doxycycline, tetracycline, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin. Or he or she may
desensitize you so that you can safely take penicillin. Later stages of syphilis may require
treatment with penicillin.
Penicillin is the only antibiotic that should be used during pregnancy.
http://sexualityandu.ca/stis-stds/types-of-stis-stds/bacterial-stis-stds
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/diagnostic-testing-for-syphilis
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/syphilis/tab/test/
http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topic
s/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases/syphilis
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/basics/prevention/con-20021862
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/tc/syphilis-prevention
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/basics/definition/con-20021862