Syphilis
The Type: Bacterial
How its Transmitted: The most common way of contracting the
disease is through vaginal, anal or oral sex. However, it can
be spread by non-sexual contact if the sores (chancres) rashes
or mucous patches caused by syphilis come in contact with the
broken skin of a non-infected individual.
The Symptoms: In the initial phase, the disease produces
painless sores or "chancres" that usually appear on the
genitals but can appear anywhere on the body, If untreated, the
disease progresses to other stages of infection which include a
rash, fever sore throat, hair loss and swollen glands
throughout the body.
The Treatment: The disease can be cured with penicillin;
however, damage done to body organs cannot be reversed.
The Possible Consequences for the Infected person: If
untreated, syphilis may cause serious damage to the heart,
brain, eyes, nervous system, bones and joints and can lead to
death. A person with active syphilis has an increased risk that
exposure to HIV will lead to infection because the sores
(chancres) provide an entry point for the AIDS virus.
The Possible Consequences for the Fetus and Newborn: If
untreated, a pregnant woman will usually transmit the disease
to the fetus. Stillbirth and death within the neonatal period
occur in 25% of these cases. 40-70% deliver an infant with
active syphilis. If undetected, damage may occur to the
infant's heart, brain and eyes.
How to Prevent: Abstaining from vaginal, anal and oral sex
with an infected person is the only 100% effective means of
preventing the sexual transmission of syphilis. Latex condoms
can reduce but not eliminate the risk of contracting the
disease during sex. However, it is still possible to contract
syphilis, even though using a condom, via sores in the genital
area. It is also important to avoid non-sexual physical contact
with the infectious sores (chancres), rashes or mucous patches
caused by syphilis.
Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -
Public Health Service, Rockville, MD 20857; The Upjohn Company;
Contraceptive Technology by R. Hatcher et al, Chapter 4, 16th
Revised Ed., 1994; Medical Institute for Sexual Health, P. O.
Box 4919, Austin, TX, 78765; MedicineNet.com; Centers for
Disease Control (CDC).
Other risks Chlamydia,
Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Herpes, HIV/AIDS,
Human Papalloma Virus, Syphilis and Trichomoniasis
|