History
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It generally is passed through sexual contact with the skin lesions and sores from an already affected individual. A small sore, also called a chancre, will often appear after an average of 21 days post-infection. This skin ulcer will appear on the initial infected area, usually the penis, vagina or on the rectum.
Identification
The initial infection, called primary syphilis, generally will only show one sore, which is painless and will remain for 4 to 6 weeks. It often heals spontaneously. At this stage an infected person will otherwise show no additional symptoms aside from possible swelling of the lymph nodes, and as a result may not seek medical treatment.
Considerations
Many diseases cannot be passed along in utero. However, syphilis is part of a body of diseases that can be passed between a mother and her fetus. In these cases, special attention must be paid as the immune system of the child is initially weak and may require stronger treatment. Contrary to urban legend, syphilis cannot be contracted from hot tubs, toilet seats or from sharing forks and other eating utensils with an affected individual.
Effects
Fetal syphilis, also known as congenital syphilis, is a severe condition which can be fatal. Typical symptoms of fetal syphilis include a failure to gain weight, fever, loss of the nose bridge, and severe pneumonia. Young children and older infants may experience abnormally shaped teeth, skeletal pain, deafness and blindness, and deformed shins.
Prevention/Solution
For infected women who are pregnant, the best course of treatment is an injection of penicillin G into the abdomen. Treating an infected mother during pregnancy greatly decreases the risk of it being passed along to her infant. Otherwise, congenital syphilis can best be treated using penicillin, though for infants the treatment should be given as soon as possible.
Tags: affected individual, caused bacteria, congenital syphilis, disease caused, disease caused bacteria, passed along, sexual contact