Syphilis: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Natural Treatment

Syphilis is a highly contagious disease and an infected person usually doesn’t know they have the disease which they pass to their sexual partner. syphilis is mostly spread through all forms of sexual activities and touching sores with their skin.

It is difficult to diagnose syphilis after the initial infection because the bacteria can lie dormant for years in the body and later become active.

What causes syphilis

Syphilis is caused by a bacteria known as Treponema pallidum. it can be gotten through direct contact with syphilis sore on an infected person. Usually, this happens during sexual activity, and bacteria are able to get into the body through cuts or mucous membranes.

Syphilis is not spread by doorknobs, toilet seats, swimming pools, bathtubs sharing clothes, or eating utensils.

Who are at risk of getting syphilis?

You’re at higher risk of getting the disease if you:

• Have unprotected sex
• Have multiple sex partners
• Have HIV
• Are a man who has sex with men

What are the symptoms of syphilis

symptoms of syphilis vary depending on the stage it is:

1) In the early or primary stage, a person may get single or more sores called chancres which usually take three to six weeks to go on their own without treatment and leaving no scar. But treatment is necessary to prevent the disease from progressing to the next stage.

2) In secondary syphilis This stage begins with a rough, red, or reddish-brown rash on one or more areas of the body, other symptoms include:

• Sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus
• Fever
• Swollen lymph glands
• Sore throat
• Patchy hair loss
• Headaches
• Weight loss
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue

Syphilis can be a serious, even life-threatening illness if it goes untreated. It’s especially dangerous when passed from an infected mother to her infant during pregnancy or childbirth.

3) Tertiary syphilis when syphilis is left untreated in the secondary stage, it stays hidden in the body without symptoms for years before progressing to the tertiary stage. symptoms may include:

• Gummas (or gummata), which are large sores on the skin or inside the body
• Cardiovascular syphilis, which can affect the heart and blood vessels and lead to an aortic aneurysm
• Neurosyphilis, which can cause severe headache, difficulty muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, and dementia

How to prevent syphilis

You can reduce your risk of contracting syphilis by:

• Having only one sexual partner (and ensuring that that person is monogamous, too)
• Using condoms during sexual activity
• Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs (which can compromise your judgment, leading to unsafe sexual practices)

It is also recommended that pregnant women go through syphilis screening to avoid passing it to their offspring.

What are the complications of syphilis?

When syphilis is left untreated, it can affect the heart, brain, eyes and may be life-threatening. it may also include:

• Stroke
• Meningitis
• Hearing impairment
• Dementia or memory loss

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