Syphilis

Organism: Treponema pallidum, Eubacteria

Transmission: * Direct contact with a syphilis sore. * Contact occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. * Sores can be located on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or rectum. * Syphilis can be transmitted from pregnant mother to child (causing stillbirths or problems with child.) * Cannot be transmitted in contact with non body items such as doorknobs, toilet seats, hot tubs, etc.

Symptoms: * Most noticeable are a red sores (called chancres). * Many do not have symptoms or do not notice the sores, which heal in 3-6 weeks without pain. * Secondary symptoms include: rashes and lesions, fever, sore throat, headaches, and fatigue (resembling other diseases). * Later symptoms: difficult muscle control, numbness, and dementia.

Prognosis: * First, a single chancre which will heal without pain. * Second, several weeks later, rashes and lesions which do not cause itching and will heal on their own along with the other secondary symptoms. * The first and secondary stage symptoms will heal with or without treatment, but without treatment victims are susceptible to the later stages. * In the late stage, the disease may damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. * If gone untreated, damage from the later stage may eventually lead to death.

Treatment: * Diagnosed through studying the chancre and seeing the bacteria under a microscope. More commonly, a blood test will be done to detect production of syphilis antibodies by the body. * In early stages, penicillin and other antibiotics can easily cure syphilis. This will kill the bacteria but not repair the damage. * After being cured, can be re-infected.
Because treatment is fairly simple, the most important stage in curing syphilis is detecting it.

Prevention: * Obtain from sexual contact or practice a monogamous relationship with a uninfected partner. * Avoid alcohol and drug use which can lead to unsafe sex. * The use of condoms can reduce the risk of syphilis. Although, syphilis can cover areas of the genital region that are not protected by condoms. * Washing the genital area does not work to prevent syphilis.

Statistics: * In the United States, health officials reported over 36,000 cases of syphilis in 2006. * Most P&S syphilis cases occurred in persons 20 to 39 years of age. * The incidence of P&S syphilis was highest in women 20 to 24 years of age and in men 35 to 39 years of age. * Between 2005 and 2006, the number of reported P&S syphilis cases increased 11.8 percent. P&S rates have increased in males each year between 2000 and 2006 from 2.6 to 5.7 and among females between 2004 and 2006. * In 2006, 64% of the reported P&S syphilis cases were among men who have sex with men (MSM).