Syphilis is a sexually
transmitted disease infection and spread
of which is increasing rapidly. The
cause of this problem is a bacterium
known as Treponema pallidum, the
infection is through sexual contact of
any kind or accidental transfusion of
blood or through the placenta to the
fetus. The highest percentage of disease
is declared in the group of 20 to 24
years and in both sexes, although the
frequency is also high in males between
24 and 34 years of age, in which most of
those infected are bisexual or
homosexual. Once the bacterium has
entered a period must elapse between 10
and 90 days to report an injury known as
a chancre. It is usually a single lesion
and does not cause pain in most cases,
which heals spontaneously without
scarring over a period of 3 to 6 weeks.
In women the genital chancre is located
in the vulva and is usually smaller in
size than the men. It can also occur in
any part of the labia, vagina, cervix,
anus, lips, nipples, gums, throat and
tonsils hands. The lesions are very
contagious, especially those in humid
regions of the skin
The diagnosis is what you must do so by
the clinical examination and by
laboratory studies, the latter giving
positive results after four to six weeks
of having the contact. If injuries occur
again, these could be presented with
general malaise, fever, headache,
generalized muscle aches and swollen
lymph nodes. The appearance of new
lesions (secondary syphilis) was
introduced by the infection spread
through blood from the primary infection
or chancroid.
The treatment is based on antibiotics
and for a time, according to the period
of disease progression and clinical
characteristics.
