Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by treponema pallidum.
The infection is characterized by primary, secondary, and tertiary stages. The incubation period is between 9-90 days. Usually, a person presents with a sexual intercourse history of months back and painless ulcer.
Syphilis symptoms:
According to time syphilis has 3 stages,
Primary feature:
A painless ulcer at the site of sexual contact.Local lymph node enlargement which is painlessOften women present with an ulcer in the cervix
Secondary feature:
Occurs 6-10 weeks of the primary feature
The patient may present with fever, lymph node enlargementRash on the trunk, palm, and solesA characteristic ulcer in the oral cavity known as Snail track ulcers. found in 30% patient.Painless, warty lesions of skin and bones are known as Condylomata lata.
Tertiary features:
A granulomatous lesion of the skin and bones are known as gummatabes dorsalisArgyll Robertson pupil (A characteristic pupil found in tertiary syphilis )
Syphilis test
Nonspecific tests
VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory ) testRPR ( Rapid Plasma Reagin) test
Specific tests
EIA for IgG and IgMTPHA ( Treponema pallidum haemagglutination test )TPPAFTA-ABS
A most common screening test is the VDRL test. It is non-antigenic and specific. It gives a false positive and false negative test.
The most common used Specific test is TPHA
Syphilis treatment :
Penicillin is the drug of choice. Currently, A single dose of 2.4 mega units of intramuscular Benzathine penicillin is used in early syphilis (less than 2 years).
Where three-dose in a weekly interval is recommended for late syphilis.
In pregnancy, penicillin is the drug of choice.
Follow up
The resolution of signs occurs after 6 months. VDRL TEST becomes negative.12 -13 months need for secondary syphilis. Specific treponemal antibody tests may remain positive for life long.
Prevention
Safe sex practices can prevent syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
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