Syphilis
Syphilis guide
Definition
What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is sometimes referred to as "the great imitator" because many of its early signs and symptoms mimic those of other diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of syphilis cases has been steadily rising since 2000, predominately among women and men who have sex with men (MSM) … in fact, about 62% of reported new syphilis cases are among MSM.1
Syphilis is caused by a bacteria, Treponema pallidum, that can be passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore during unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. Sores can occur on the penis, vagina, anus or rectum, or on the lips and inside the mouth. It's also possible for a mother to pass syphilis to her baby during pregnancy or delivery, potentially causing miscarriage or stillbirth, or seizures and developmental delays in the baby.
The good news is that syphilis, in its early stages, is easily treated and curable with antibiotics … most commonly, penicillin. Left untreated, however, syphilis can lead to serious health problems down the road — including brain, cardiovascular and organ damage — and increase your risk of getting other STDs, like HIV.
Syphilis is most infectious during the primary and secondary stages of infection … and the earlier syphilis is diagnosed, the more successfully it can be treated and cured.
Comments
Post a Comment