DR MAXWELL ADEYEMI

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that was once a major public health threat. It is a highly contagious infection that can be spread through sexual activities, including oral and anal sex, with an infected person without the use of a condom or latex barrier. Many times the infected person may not even know they have the disease.

Causes of syphilis

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It is spread through contact with an infected person's sore during sexual activity. The bacteria enter the body through minor cuts in the skin or mucous membranes. Less commonly, syphilis may spread through direct contact with an active lesion, such as during kissing. It can't be spread by using the same toilet, bathtub, clothing, eating utensils, swimming pools or hot tubs as an infected person. Once cured, syphilis does not return on its own, but someone can become re-infected if contact is made with syphilis sores.

Stages and symptoms

Primary syphilis: The first symptom of syphilis is appearance of a painless sore (chancre), which appears at the point of entrance of the bacteria into the body. An infected person can have one to several chancre sores which usually develops about three weeks after exposure. Many people who have syphilis may not notice the chancre because it's usually painless and hidden. The chancre will heal on its own within three to six weeks

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Secondary syphilis: A few weeks after the sore has healed, one may start to experience a rash that begins on the trunk and which will eventually cover the entire body, including the palms and the soles of feet. This rash is usually not itchy and may be accompanied by wart-like sores in your mouth or genital area. Some people also experience hair loss, muscle aches, a fever, a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. These signs and symptoms may disappear within a few weeks or repeatedly come and go for as long as a year.

Latent syphilis: If left untreated, the disease moves from the secondary stage to the hidden (latent) stage, when it becomes asymptomatic. The latent stage can last for years. Signs and symptoms may never return, or the disease may progress to the tertiary stage.

Tertiary syphilis: Complications from syphilis infection develops when syphilis is left untreated. In this stage, the disease may damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. These problems may occur many years after the original, untreated infection.

Neurosyphilis: At any stage, syphilis can spread and cause damage to the brain, nervous system and also, the eyes.

Complications of syphilis

Without treatment, syphilis can lead to damage throughout the body. It increases the risk of HIV infection and can cause problems during pregnancy. Treatment can help prevent future damage but cannot repair or reverse damage that has already occurred. In the late stage of syphilis, bumps (gummas) can develop on the skin, bones, liver or any other organ. Gummas usually disappear after tre