Acquired Syphilis, More Dangerous Than Gonorrhea

Written by docteam Saturday, 13 March 2010 12:00

Syphilis is one of common disease in the United States. Syphilis is much more dangerous than gonorrhea. It result in degradation of mind and body and eventually in death if untreated. In acquired syphilis the spirochetes typically passed along by the sexual act, but any form of intimate body contact suffices if it involves the transfer of liquid infectious material. Kissing and abnormal sex practice  are recognized modes of transfer.

Cause

The causative bacterial is Treponema pallidum

Clinical

After sexual intercourse with an infected person, the chancre, the hallmark of primary syphilis, appears in about 3 weeks at the portal of entry. Vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and scrotum are the usual site. Usually single rather than multiple. The surface appears erode, and gentle pressure calls forth a watery discharge rather than pus. Another characteristic feature of primary syphilis is the development of swollen regional lymph nodes (buboes). In a month or so the chancre heals, with or without treatment, leaving a pale scare, the buboes, if they occur, may or may not persist.

The secondary incubation of period, during which time the spirochetes swim about in increasing number and set up foci of infection throughout the body. This state continues about 6 weeks ( on the average), until one day the victim arrives at the secondary stage of infection, the characteristic features of which are a generalized skin eruption and mucous patches. The rash is highly varied. The mucous patches are circular, multiply areas of erosion on the membranes of the mouth, throat, genitalia, and rectum. These symptoms last from 6 weeks to 6 months and then disappear with or without treatment. Then follows the asymptomatic latent period. This period last from a year to a lifetime. It depending on and the outcome of the continuing battle between the spirochetes and the forces of immunity.

Some person eventually develop tertiary (late)  syphilis. An inflammatory scarring and weakening of the aorta are the cardinal lesion. Another major tertiary ramification is neurosyphilis. The most severe form of which is a general semiparalysis arising from a spirochaete invasion of the brain.

Treatment

The drug of choice is Penicillin that should be given by injection and the dose depends on the preparation. Single injection of 2.4 million units of penicillin G Benzathine. This is often painful. The side of treatment penicillin is anaphylactic shock that may manifest itself 30 to 60 minutes after ijection.