Syphilis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Syphilis or commonly known as lion king disease is one type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria.
Oftentimes, the initial symptoms of syphilis are not recognized by sufferers, so it is not surprising that many people get treatment too late.
Syphilis that is detected early and treated promptly has a good prognosis.
Conversely, if this venereal disease is not handled properly, complications can occur, such as damage to the brain, heart and other organs.
Symptoms
Syphilis is divided into several stages, each of which has different symptoms. The following are the stages of syphilis symptoms:
Syphilis Primer
The primary stage is marked by the appearance of sores around the genitals, anus, and mouth which are the entry points for T. pallidum bacteria.
The characteristic condition at this stage is the formation of a durum ulcer.
Durum ulcers are round, with a red granular base and are clean, indolent, and have palpable induration.
Even though an ulcer is formed, often the patient does not feel pain. This condition can heal itself within 3-10 weeks.
Because of this, many people do not realize that they have been infected with the T. pallidum bacteria.
Secondary Syphilis
Secondary syphilis appears several weeks after the sores have healed. At this stage, a rash starts to appear on your body, including on the palms of your hands and feet.
In addition to providing clinical symptoms on the skin, secondary syphilis is also accompanied by other complaints, such as fever, weight loss, headache, sore throat, joint pain, excessive fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Syphilis Let
At this stage of latent syphilis, sufferers do not experience clinical symptoms or abnormalities. However, it is still running and active.
Tertiary Syphilis
Tertiary syphilis is the last part of the most dangerous syphilis. Symptoms at this stage may appear 10-40 years after the initial infection.
The characteristic abnormality at this stage is the formation of gummas, which are circumscript infiltrates, chronic in nature, usually softening and destructive.
In addition, at this stage, this sexually transmitted disease can spread and damage other organs, such as the brain, heart, nerves, liver, and bones.
Reason
The bacteria that can cause syphilis is Treponema pallidum.
These microorganisms enter and infect humans through wounds in the vagina, penis, anus, lips or mouth.
This transmission most often occurs during sexual activity, both during penetration of the penis into the vagina, as well as during oral sex or anal sex
In addition, this disease can also be transmitted from mother to baby during the delivery process (congenital or congenital syphilis).
Risk Factors
A person is susceptible to having syphilis, when included in high-risk groups, such as:
- Do not use protection (condoms) during intercourse
- multi-partner sexual intercourse
- homosexuals
- HIV sufferers
Diagnosis
To be able to confirm whether syphilis is present or not, the doctor will conduct a thorough medical interview and carry out several examinations.
Here’s an explanation.
Blood Check
Blood tests in the form of VDRL ( Venereal Disease Research Laboratory ) and TPHA ( Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination ) can be performed to detect the presence of antibodies against the bacteria that cause syphilis.
Examination of Wound Fluids
This examination procedure is carried out by taking a fluid sample from a wound or a small amount of tissue and looking at it under a microscope.
This condition can be confirmed if the doctor finds the bacteria that causes syphilis Treponema pallidum from a microscope examination.
Because it is a sexually transmitted disease, it is necessary to examine the patient’s sexual partners.
Otherwise, disease transmission will continue.
Treatment
In order to heal completely and not leave any complications, treatment must be done as early as possible.
Treatment should only be carried out by a doctor. Patients are not advised to self-medicate.
The following is an explanation of syphilis treatment in general according to conditions.
- Treatment Primary, secondary, and latent stages of syphilis are generally treated with the antibiotic benzathine penicillin which is injected into the muscle.
- In advanced syphilis, penicillin injection drugs will still be given, it’s just that it requires an additional dose.
- Pregnant women infected with syphilis are also treated in the same way, namely with penicillin injections. After the birth process, the baby will be screened whether there is congenital syphilis or not. If so, the baby will also get treatment.
For people who are allergic to penicillin, there are several choices of antibiotics that can be used as a treatment for syphilis, such as:
- ceftriaxone
- cephalexin
- azithromycin
- tetracycline
- doxycycline
Patients who receive penicillin injections as treatment can cause a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.
Symptoms that appear generally vary, ranging from fever, headache, redness of the face, and joint pain, to the body feeling weak.
No need to worry, this reaction will disappear by itself in the next 10-12 hours.
In order to help the treatment go well, the patient should not have sex until the treatment is finished and the doctor says he is cured.
Examination and treatment of syphilis patients are usually handled by skin and genital specialists.
Prevention
Syphilis is highly preventable. There are several things that can be done, including:
- not having sex (abstain)
- monogamous (only have sex with one person)
- practicing safe sex, one of which is using a condom during sexual intercourse
- when using sex toys, do not exchange sex aids with other people
- conduct screening for sexually transmitted diseases for those who are in high-risk groups
- Avoid using alcohol or illegal drugs
Complications
Late and inadequate treatment can cause various complications, such as:
1. A lump or tumor appears
In the advanced stages of syphilis, lumps or tumors called gummas can appear on the skin, bones, liver or other organs.
However, gummas usually disappear when the patient receives antibiotic treatment.
2. Problems in Pregnancy and Birth
In pregnant women, syphilis can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and stillbirth.
Babies who are born are also very likely to be infected with congenital syphilis. These symptoms can include:
- low birth weight babies
- Anatomical abnormalities of the nose (nose appears flatter)
- tooth deformities
- redness in the anal area or mouth
- to visual impairment
3. Nervous Disorders
Improper treatment can also cause nervous system disorders, such as:
- headache
- stroke
- meningitis
- hearing impairment
- visual impairment, including blindness
- dementia
- loss of sensation of pain and changes in temperature
- sexual dysfunction in men
- bladder incontinence
4. Heart Problems
Complications of syphilis in the heart can include protrusion and swelling of the aortic and other blood vessels.
In addition, this infectious infection also causes damage to the heart valves.
5. HIV infection
People with syphilis have a 2-5 times higher risk of being infected with HIV.
The presence of a wound in syphilis is a place for the entry of the HIV virus into the body during sexual activity.
When to See a Doctor?
If you experience the above symptoms, plus you are in a high-risk group, immediately see a skin and genital specialist for an examination.
The reason is, syphilis that is detected early can be treated more quickly. Complications can also be avoided.