Unveiling the Progression and Long-Term Effects of Untreated Syphilis

Have you ever noticed that when syphilis is mentioned, it often goes hand in hand with gonorrhea? Well, it's a commonly discussed topic, but today, let's dive into syphilis and what you should know about it. Join me as we explore this sexually transmitted disease piece by piece. Trust me, it's going to be an engaging read, so stick around.

Now, you might assume that since it's a sexually transmitted disease, it must be caused by a virus. Well, surprise, surprise! Syphilis is actually caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum, which belongs to the spirochete bacteria family, specifically the Spirochaetota phylum. These bacteria have a distinctive spiral shape, hence the name. Syphilis is contracted through direct contact with infected lesions during sexual intercourse.^{, ,}

These lesions are found on the skin of the genitals, this lesion starts as a bump that occurs within 90 days of the initial infection. The papule then ulcerates to become a Chancre which is highly infectious. At this phase, it is regarded as Primary Syphilis. During this stage, the Chancres are painless, and this causes a lot of people to overlook it, and these chancres which are sore heal up after a few weeks without any treatment. Syphilis can also be transferred from mother to fetus during pregnancy. So as a pregnant woman, you should get tested for syphilis so you do not transfer it to your baby.^{, ,}

If left untreated during the primary stage, syphilis progresses to secondary syphilis. This phase is more severe and can affect various parts of the body. Symptoms may include a sore throat, fever, malaise, headaches, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that can appear on the body, including the tonsils, extremities, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet. Even without treatment, the rash tends to heal on its own over a few weeks.^{, ,}

But here's the catch, after the secondary stage, syphilis doesn't just fade away. If left untreated, it enters a latent phase known as latent syphilis. During this phase, individuals remain asymptomatic for years, and since they have no noticeable symptoms, they may neglect to seek treatment. However, if this continues, it can progress to tertiary syphilis, which can occur years after the initial infection.

Tertiary syphilis can be fatal if not treated. Very fast, let me say that it is possible for people to have tertiary syphilis without having symptoms of the primary, or secondary phase of the disease. During this phase of the disease, the cardiovascular system is at risk, as it can be affected. It can damage the aorta, and affect the heart, and the blood vessel. With tertiary syphilis, people can develop Gummas on the skin and bones. This bacteria can affect the central nervous system as well, including the brain leading to psychosis, and dementia. People who suffer from tertiary syphilis can also have stabbing pain in the back, or around the face and the limb leading to neurosyphilis.^,

The good news is that there is treatment available for syphilis. It's not an untreatable condition, and antibiotics are effective in combating it. Penicillin G, delivered through intravenous or intramuscular means, is the primary treatment option. For patients with neurological syphilis, the treatment should be administered intravenously for about 14 days. Other antibiotics like doxycycline and ceftriaxone can also be used to treat this sexually transmitted infection.^{, ,}

It's crucial to diagnose and treat syphilis early because if it's left undetected and treated late, the bacteria may be eliminated, but the damage, such as cardiovascular issues, can persist. Regular testing for syphilis is vital to prevent it from wreaking havoc on the body. Certain set of people, including pregnant women, immunocompromised patients, and individuals with multiple partners, should especially prioritize testing for syphilis. However, it's a good practice for everyone, regardless of category, to stay informed and get tested if they suspect exposure to this sexually transmitted infection.

• Image 1 || Getarchive.net|| Primary stage syphilis sore (chancre) on the surface of a tongue-CDC

• Image 2 || Wikimedia Commons || syphilis

• Image 3 || Picryl.com || Syphilis Ulcerosa Nasi. Getty Museum public domain dedication