Syphilis Symptoms and its Relation to Acquiring AIDS
Syphilis Symptoms and its Relation to Acquiring AIDS
What is syphilis?
It is a type of STD or sexually transmitted disease. In its late stages, this disease can cause blindness, mental disorders and even death. The culprit is a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called "treponema pallidum".
Where did syphilis come from?
During the late 15th century, syphilis swept through Europe as a devastating epidemic. Since it can mimic other diseases, doctors have called it "the great imitator". After so many years, it has come back to haunt the US and other countries much stronger than ever. Some of the economic and social factors associated with its return are:
? Drug abuse
? Changes in sexual habits
? Sex trades for crack
? Early pregnancies due to unprotected sex
? Decline of support from public health services
If a person is infected with syphilis, is there a chance he or she can get infected with AIDS?
Yes, there is a strong possibility since the open sores of syphilis can make it easier for the AIDS virus to enter the infected person's body. Through direct contact with the sores of an infected person, the infection can be acquired. Contrary to belief that the syphilis bacterium can only be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the mouth, genital area or the anus, the bacterium can also pass through broken skin on various parts of the body.
Pregnant women can also transmit the bacterium to their unborn child. The baby may even have serious physical and mental problems.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
The early symptoms of syphilis are very mild. For this reason, most people who are infected with it don't see a doctor. When left untreated, infected individuals can infect others throughout the first two stages of the disease. This can even last for 2 years.
Syphilis symptoms are:
? Chancre - a painless open sore which can appear two to six weeks after exposure. It can be found on the vulva, vagina or penis but it can also develop on the tongue, cervix, fingertips and lips. Though it may disappear, it will continue and progress to three other stages if left untreated.
? Skin rash - this is regarded as secondary syphilis. It will appear in two to twelve weeks after the appearance of the chancre. The rash may appear on certain areas of the body like the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands. It can also cover the entire body. Again, these rashes can disappear but the infection is still there. This is the stage where an infected person can infect others.
? Fatigue (secondary syphilis)
? Mild fever (secondary syphilis)
? Headache (secondary syphilis)
? Patchy hair loss (secondary syphilis)
? Sore throat (secondary syphilis)
? Swollen lymph glands tall through the body (secondary syphilis)
? Blindness (late syphilis or the final phase)
? Heart disease (late syphilis or the final phase)
? Mental illness (late syphilis or the final phase)
Death (late syphilis or the final phase)
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