Syphilis

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by Treponema pallidum and is usually transmitted through sexual contact. The risk factors of the disease include a history of multiple sexual partners and engaging in unprotected sex. Some of the clinical features that a patient with syphilis may present with include a painless sore in the rectum, genitals, or mouth.
Most of the initial signs and symptoms of syphilis are not life-threatening and could be self-limiting. If the disease is left untreated it could lead to other long-term effects such as damage to the brain, heart, eyes, nerves, liver, bones, and blood vessels. Other less common long-term clinical features that the patient with syphilis may present with if the disease is left untreated include dementia, paralysis, and loss of tactile sensation.
The management of the disease involves health education to teach the patient about the transmission, pathophysiology, and treatment of syphilis. Health education should also incorporate safe sex messages to prevent further transmission Once the disease is positively confirmed by a laboratory test, antibiotics are given to treat the bacterial infection. Penicillin and ceftriaxone are some of the drugs of choice used to treat syphilis. Patients with syphilis should be advised to get treatment together with their sexual partners.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The disease usually affects those who engage in unprotected sex and have multiple partners. The clinical features of the disease are usually self-limiting but if syphilis is left untreated various long-term symptoms suggesting neurological involvement could occur. The management of the sexually transmitted disease is antibiotics such as Penicillin and cephalosporin. Health education is essential in preventing further transmission.