Causes and risk factors
Causes of the disease include infection of Treponema pallidum by unsafe sex, direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person, infection during pregnancy from a mother to her fetus, transmission from sharing needles.
Clinical presentation
The primary lesion develops at the site of infection which heals in 2-6 weeks. The site of infection may be the penis, vulva, labia, cervix, lips, mouth, buttocks, and fingers. The small, painless papule rapidly forms an ulcer [the chancre]. The chancre is usually single, round, or oval, painless, surrounded by a bright red margin, indurated with a clean base and discharging clear serum. The regional lymph nodes are enlarged and are painless, discrete, firm and not fixed to surrounding tissues.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. VDRL test is recommended. Rapid plasma reagin [RPR] test is done. Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption [FTA] test is advised. Cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] examination may be advised. Microscopic examination of fluid from chancre will help to detect the bacteria and confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment Involves antibiotic course. The complications of untreated syphilis include progression to secondary syphilis, damage to several body structures including the brain, eyes, heart, nerves, bones, joints, and liver which may lead to paralysis, blindness, dementia, sensory loss or other symptoms. Women afflicted with syphilis can give birth to stillborn or developmentally delayed babies. Patients have higher risk of contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating syphilitic chancre. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating syphilitic chancre.
Recent updates
Scientists are conducting a research to develop a vaccine against syphilis. Another work area is to develop a safe, single-dose, effective oral antibiotic for syphilis.
Facts and figures
Syphilis affects about 1 % or more of ANC cases in 55 countries.
