What is syphilis, ways of infection. First signs and symptoms. Prevention

If a person is diagnosed with syphilis and has a regular sexual partner, treatment should be prescribed to both.

Syphilis: possible routes of infection

As stated above, syphilis can be transmitted not only during sexual contact between partners. The causative agent of this disease is the Schaudin-Hoffman spirochete (pale treponema). It can survive in a humid environment for a long time, so the physiological characteristics of the body are ideal for it. The infection dies only when it dries out. At the same time, the pathogenic properties of the treponema do not change, even if it remains in the carrier's body for a long time.

Sometimes there were cases of infection of pathologists during autopsies. However, in the modern world, the possibility of becoming infected in this way is minimized. At the same time, gynecologists, urologists and laboratory staff should also remember to strictly observe the work process and personal hygiene during contact with the genitals of patients during examination or taking tests. Syphilis can also be transmitted through passionate kissing and oral sex. And yet, the Schaudin-Hoffmann spirochete takes root best on the mucous membrane of the genitals and is transmitted to a partner during unprotected sex. Through abrasions and microcracks, the pathogen enters the body, where it begins to actively multiply and spread.

Characteristic signs of syphilis development

The general picture of syphilis has a variety of clinical forms. At the same time, the treatment provided to patients affects everyone differently, which ultimately leads to different outcomes of the disease. Some patients have positive results, despite the low probability of recovery. And, on the contrary, a correctly and timely chosen treatment regimen may be ineffective. The decisive factors are the body's immunity, as well as the manifestation of the pathogen's behavior.

The syphilis pathogen develops in the body over a short period of time. Initially, the patient feels well, without suspicion of infection. The incubation period of syphilis is on average three weeks, in rare cases - more or less. If during this period the patient simultaneously takes antibacterial agents that suppress pale treponema, the incubation period may be prolonged, and the course of the disease may change.

With all this, there is asymptomatic syphilis, which is characterized by:

• absence of pronounced clinical symptoms;
• absence of serological manifestations in a blood test.

This type of syphilis is especially dangerous if observed in pregnant women, since the child can get congenital syphilis.

Main symptoms of syphilis

Depending on the stage of development of the disease, its manifestation will vary. This allows you to make a timely diagnosis and take into account the neglect of the situation. For the first time, signs of syphilis can be detected after the end of the incubation period. In the area of infection in the body, erosion is formed, called a hard chancre. Basically, a chancre is a single formation, but sometimes several ulcers can appear. Moreover, their localization can be at a considerable distance from each other.

The increase in temperature is insignificant, in most cases it is subfebrile. Laboratory blood tests have negative results, since the body begins to produce antibodies somewhat later.

Additionally, general malaise, body aches, and enlarged lymph nodes may be observed.

If a patient with syphilis is sexually active during the incubation period, new chancres of different sizes and localizations will appear. If any ulcer is detected on the genitals, especially a round or oval one with clear edges, you should immediately contact a venereologist to detect or exclude syphilis.

The first stage of syphilis lasts on average 45 days. If the disease is not detected during this period or the treatment is incorrect, the infection will begin to affect the internal organs. First of all, the bone and nervous systems. These are already the consequences of secondary fresh syphilis, which occurs with moments of relapse, when the symptoms return again after a short period of time.

The secondary period of the disease can be characterized by polymorphic clinical symptoms. This means that a rash appears on the human skin in the form of flat spots or roseola, sometimes disappearing when pressed. Roseola can be combined with the appearance of papules. Itching in syphilis is a fairly rare phenomenon. Papular syphilis manifests itself as follows:

• papules rise above the skin surface;
• have clear boundaries and a dense consistency;
• the color can vary from pink to the color of ham.

If papules are localized on the genitals or around the anus, wide condylomas may appear. In this case, papules degenerate into tumor-like formations with a long-term non-healing surface. In this case, condylomas create discomfort, as well as pain when walking.

Syphilis of the second stage of development can last up to 6 years or more, giving way to the tertiary period of the disease. In this case, ulcers leave rough scars after healing, so syphilis of many years ago is easy to recognize on the body of a person who has suffered from it. The spots on the body become brown with atrophic phenomena similar to a mosaic. At the same time, a person with syphilis is less dangerous to others due to a reduced level of infection.

The last stage of syphilis entails deafness, blindness due to atrophy of nerve endings. The most severe changes are observed in the nervous system. Syphilis of the uneven system can occur against the background of systemic damage to all organs and systems of the body. As a result, a person can become disabled or die, so you should not delay the start of treatment or treat it negligently.

Treatment of syphilis

If you pay attention to the disease during the year, sometimes one dose of penicillin is enough. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, it can be replaced with tetracycline or doxycycline. In the later stages of the disease, the venereologist prescribes a course of treatment with other dosages of drugs. Alcohol should not be consumed during treatment.

Sexual relations should be excluded during treatment of syphilis, while the partner of the person with syphilis should also be examined, and in case of a positive result - treated. In the absence of proper treatment of syphilis, the likelihood of complications, including death, is very high.

Prevention of syphilis

To prevent infection with syphilis, you should lead a healthy sex life: use condoms and maintain personal hygiene.