syhpillis

• Caused by thin, flexible, spiral shaped bacterium Treponema pallidum 

  Contracted by direct sexual contact 

  Affect men and women the same 
• Four stages if untreated :

  1. primary stage
  2. secondary stage
  3. latent / hidden stage
  4. tertiary / late stage
• Primary stage

  Begins when bacteria enters through small break in skin 

  Bacteria multiply and spread through whole body during incubation period (10 days - 10 weeks) 

  First symptoms - one or small sores (chancres) 

  • Usually on sex organs 
  • May occur on lip, finger, eyelid 
  • Heal in 3-8 weeks even without treatment 
• Latent stage / hidden stage

  Begins when symptoms of primary and secondary stage go away 

  No noticeable symptoms 

  Infection cannot be passed on unless symptoms of secondary stage return 

  Lasts for many years, could be for rest of life 
• Tertiary stage / late stage

  Minority of people reach this stage even without treatment 

  Can occur 5-40 years after initial infection 

  When symptoms appear again 

  • Syphilitic heart disease
  • Insanity
  • Blindness
  • Weakening blood vessels
  • Physical incapacity
• If pregnant, bacteria can cross placenta and infect foetus 

  • Nothing can stop multiplication of bacteria
  • Foetus can go through stages before birth 
  • Permanent damages to heart, nervous system ,joints 

  Antibiotics can treat both woman and foetus 
• Antibiotics are used for all stages 

  Surgery becomes necessary after first stage