All You Need to Know About Syphilis
Syphilis is one of the most popular and most dreaded of the sexually transmitted diseases present today.
In fact, the fear for syphilis is rivaled only by that of another killer disease, AIDS.
Since long ago, it has been believed to be a foreign disease to the USA and originated from Europe.
It even has an Indian name phiranga roga which means "foreign disease".
Another interesting name that's given to syphilis is Cupid's disease.
Now the first question this article would like to answer is: What is syphilis? Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a particular bacterium.
This bacterium is Treponema pallidum and is transferred from person to another mainly during sexual contact.
Other modes of transmission are physical contact with an infected person and from an infected mother to a baby.
Syphilis is also considered as a disorder of the blood.
What are the common causes of this disease and how is this transmitted? Since it is a STD, it is mainly transmitted via sexual intercourse.
The bacterium can enter through breaks in the squamous and columnar epithelium of the skin.
And once one partner gets infected then there is a full chance that the other partner will be infected too.
Since this bacterium could enter through the skin, couples who believe the syphilis cannot be transmitted by mutual masturbation or simple foreplay are gravely mistaken.
Also, a mere contact with an infected area of the skin is enough for the bacterium to be transmitted.
Another way it is transmitted is through an infected mother.
The infection could be transferred to her baby upon birth.
This is often called congenital syphilis and it is fatal to the baby.
What are the symptoms of this disease? The symptoms would depend on the stage of infection.
Syphilis infection has 3 stages and each stage show unique symptoms.
The first stage is the primary syphilis which occurs 10 to 90 days from the infection.
Symptoms could include the appearance of a sore called chancre.
It appears on the site of infection.
This sore is painless and could include initial swelling.
Also, these sores heal themselves eventually.
The second stage of syphilis is called the secondary syphilis and it happens one to six months after the infection and if the primary syphilis is not treated.
Symptoms include the appearance of symmetrical rash on both sides of the body.
The rash is reddish in color and is not itchy.
Whitish lesions could also occur in the mouth or on the genitals.
The last stage of syphilis is reached if the first two stages are not treated.
Soft tumors are seen on the skin anywhere in the body.
There is also a marked neurobiological change in which the personality of the infected person undergoes a drastic change.
Scared of getting this disease? Don't fret, just go visit the nearest STD testing center and get yourself tested.
This is extremely important, especially if you are already sexually active.
In fact, the fear for syphilis is rivaled only by that of another killer disease, AIDS.
Since long ago, it has been believed to be a foreign disease to the USA and originated from Europe.
It even has an Indian name phiranga roga which means "foreign disease".
Another interesting name that's given to syphilis is Cupid's disease.
Now the first question this article would like to answer is: What is syphilis? Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a particular bacterium.
This bacterium is Treponema pallidum and is transferred from person to another mainly during sexual contact.
Other modes of transmission are physical contact with an infected person and from an infected mother to a baby.
Syphilis is also considered as a disorder of the blood.
What are the common causes of this disease and how is this transmitted? Since it is a STD, it is mainly transmitted via sexual intercourse.
The bacterium can enter through breaks in the squamous and columnar epithelium of the skin.
And once one partner gets infected then there is a full chance that the other partner will be infected too.
Since this bacterium could enter through the skin, couples who believe the syphilis cannot be transmitted by mutual masturbation or simple foreplay are gravely mistaken.
Also, a mere contact with an infected area of the skin is enough for the bacterium to be transmitted.
Another way it is transmitted is through an infected mother.
The infection could be transferred to her baby upon birth.
This is often called congenital syphilis and it is fatal to the baby.
What are the symptoms of this disease? The symptoms would depend on the stage of infection.
Syphilis infection has 3 stages and each stage show unique symptoms.
The first stage is the primary syphilis which occurs 10 to 90 days from the infection.
Symptoms could include the appearance of a sore called chancre.
It appears on the site of infection.
This sore is painless and could include initial swelling.
Also, these sores heal themselves eventually.
The second stage of syphilis is called the secondary syphilis and it happens one to six months after the infection and if the primary syphilis is not treated.
Symptoms include the appearance of symmetrical rash on both sides of the body.
The rash is reddish in color and is not itchy.
Whitish lesions could also occur in the mouth or on the genitals.
The last stage of syphilis is reached if the first two stages are not treated.
Soft tumors are seen on the skin anywhere in the body.
There is also a marked neurobiological change in which the personality of the infected person undergoes a drastic change.
Scared of getting this disease? Don't fret, just go visit the nearest STD testing center and get yourself tested.
This is extremely important, especially if you are already sexually active.
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