Syphilis Among Women: What We have to Take into account

Syphilis is a systemic condition caused by spirochete Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted by sexual contact with anyone who has a dynamic spirochete-containing lesion. Like gonorrhea and Chlamydia, it must be reported to public health departments, which is a cause for more embarrassment. This could be avoided by visiting STD clinics because they are not necessary to report it; this will keep the condition a secret and your identity private.

Following an incubation period of 10 to 90 days, a regular lesion is found, generally on the genitalia or around the mouth, lips, or rectal area duet to oral-genital or genital-anal contact. The lesion or chancre is really a deep ulcer and is generally painless regardless of its size. Lymphadenopathy may be found but rarely is in noticed by the affected individual. A lesion in the vagina might not be detected. Without remedy, a chancre persists roughly six weeks after which fades. Around two to four weeks after the chancre vanishes, a generalized, macular, copper-colored rash shows up. Unlike many other rashes, it affects the soles and also the palms.

A serologic test for syphilis in women produces positive results at the moment. There could be secondary symptoms of generalized illness, like low grade fever and adenopathy. With or without therapy, a chancre lasts roughly six weeks after which fades. The next phase is a latency period that could last from several years to several decades. The only real indication of the illness is the serologic test, which continues to yield a good result. The final period of syphilis is a destructive neurologic ailment that involves major body organs like the heart and the nervous system. Common symptoms are blindness, paralysis, severe crippling neurologic deformities, mental confusion, slurred speech, and deficiency of coordination. This third phase should be recognized until the disease gets fatal. Syphilis is identified by recognition of the several symptoms of the three stages and by serologic serum exams, normally the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL), the automated regain test (ART), the rapid plasma regain test (RPR), or the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS).

Benzathine penicillin G, given intramuscularly in two sites, is effective therapy. To the adolescent who is sensitive to penicillin, either oral erythromycin or tetracycline can be offered for 10 to 15 days. Sexual partners are dealt with just as as the person with the active infection. Therapy efficiently arrests the ailment at whatever phase it has achieved. Because syphilis can be treated so easily, one would think it will be easy to remove. Actually, however, as the primary chancre is painless, many individuals are either not aware of it or choose to ignore it, thereby transmitting the illness to unsuspecting partners. For penicillin-sensitive women, other antibiotics like doxycycline and tetracycline, have also verified effective. Antibiotic therapy to take care of gonorrhea as well as other infections won't likely eliminate syphilis as well simply because such therapy is normally given for too short a period to affect the slow-growing spirochete.

Adolescents, particularly, need accurate information regarding syphilis to become aware of the symptoms. They need to believe that they can report the illness to health care employees and can name sexual contacts without concern with being criticized. If a woman develops syphilis in pregnancy, the disease can be spread to the fetus.