SYPHILIS

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that has been existing for a long time. Its causative agent is a spirochete bacterium, Treponema pallidum.
The route of transmission for syphilis is almost invariably by sexual contact; however, there are examples of direct contact infections and of congenital syphilis (transmission from mother to child in utero).

Syphilis symptoms

The bacterium gets into lymphatic system of the organism and begins to propagate itself in all organs.Syphilis developes step-by-step, that is why its symptoms are different at each stage of disease. Actually there are three stages of this disease that affects sexual health and health in general.
Immediately after infection, incubation period begins and lasts for 3-4 weeks (rarely it can last from 1 week to 1 year). When incubation period has passed, there appears a chancre on the part of the body where the contact with the causative agent took place. The period when the chancre appears is called the first stage of syphilis.
Chancre is a little painless ulcer with a shining red bottom. The ulcer is very similar to a crater. Its size varies from a few millimeters to several centimetres. Often there can be several ulcers.
The second stage of syphilis begins within 6-8 weeks after the chancres appearence. The ulcers heal up, but the disease goes on developing. Skin rash breaks out. The infected person can lose hair, suffer from fever, headaches, sore throat, has white patches in the nose, mouth and vagina.
Secondary syphilis is especially dangerous as it can be transmitted through shared things. The symptoms of syphilis can vanish and than appear again during several years.
After 3-4 years, the third stage of syphilis begins. In this stage the infection spreads to the brain and heart. The infection damages all organs and can result in death. As a rule syphilis is no longer contagious at this stage.

Diagnosis of syphilis

Syphilis is usually diagnosed by performing special blood test that is called screening test. The accuracy of this test depends on the stage it was performed in. In the first stage the test is positive in 75 per cent of cases. If screening test is performed in the second stage, nearly 100 per cent of all infected can be identified. In the third stage 70 per cent the infected people test positive with this test. Thus it is quite clear that the test is reliable and accurate only in the second stage of infection. However, you cannot be sure that you are not infected if you test negative. It might just mean that your disease is on the stage when it is difficult to be detected.

Treatment of syphilis

Syphilis is one of the most guileful and dangerous diseases that destroys sexual health, so remember of self-medication hazard.
Today syphilis is usually treated with penicillin given in injections. Those people who are allergic to pennicilin are treated with some alternative antibiotics.
Also some medicines stimulating immune system and vitamines are prescribed.
The treatment is possible only under a doctors control and only after the diagnoses is finally made.
The following things are strictly forbidden during the treatment:
Sex life
Alcohol
After treatment the pacient must be tested three times:after three months, after half a year and after a year.
Nowadays syphilis is successfully treated in most cases. However, it is known that it is much better to prevent a disease rather than to treat it. The best way of syphilis precaution is safe sex. Actually, safe sex generally contributes to good sexual health.

Syphilis prevention

Syphilis can cause no symptoms, so it is significant to be tested at least once a year.
If you have to contact with syphilis infected you should boil all the things you share, such as dishes and bed clothes. The syphilis causative agent dies within 30 minutes provided the temperature is higher than 48 degrees centigrade.
Also the following rules can help you
Be careful when choosing a sexual partner and you had better reject the contact if you suspect him of being infected
Use condoms
Also you can use spermicides
And do not hesitate to visit your doctor if you think you might be infected. The earlier the disease is detected the more successful the treatment is going to be. Care about your sexual health!