Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by pale treponema. The infection proceeds chronically and without treatment leads to multiple lesions of organs and systems of the human body. Previously, this disease was incurable, but today there are drugs that, with timely treatment, give a favorable result. How are they infected with syphilis?
There are many options for transmitting syphilis. The most famous mode of transmission is through sexual intercourse. The possibility of syphilis infection in domestic conditions also exists, this is due to the fact that the infection can exist in an external moist environment for up to four days. Household syphilis is acquired through bedding, dishes, and personal hygiene items. There is also the possibility of contracting syphilis through the blood during transfusion. There is the possibility of infection of the fetus from the mother, the so-called congenital syphilis.
It is impossible to get infected by contact, syphilis. The causative agent of syphilis instantly dies in the open air.
The incubation period of the disease lasts 3-4 weeks. In this case, the infection penetrates the tissues and spreads throughout the body, but the symptoms are not visible. Since the incubation period, the infected person is contagious to others.
The danger of syphilis is manifested in the fact that it is difficult to notice, and from the moment of infection until it manifests itself takes 2-6 weeks.
The first signs of syphilis are as follows. The appearance of a solid chancre, ulcers with tight edges. Appears at the site of introduction of the pathogen. Mostly on the genitals. With oral sex, the chancre appears in the oral cavity, and can also occur on the hips, on the mammary glands, on the tonsils. Household syphilis often leads to the formation of chancre on the face.
Symptoms of syphilis also include: an increase in lymph nodes in the area of chancre occurrence for 6-8 days. The infection enters the nearest lymph nodes, then to distant ones, where it multiplies. Lymph nodes increase, but remain painless. Inflammation of the lymph nodes appears after 5-7 days.
The primary symptoms of syphilis go away after 6-7 weeks, but the person does not recover. If patients do not know how the symptoms of syphilis manifest themselves, they believe that they have recovered, but in fact they continue to spread the infection.
After the ulcers heal, the second stage of syphilis begins, which can last several years. Symptoms of syphilis, which are manifested in this case, are a rash on the body. The rash is accompanied by poor health. Lymph nodes increase throughout the body, and extensive growths - condylomas - appear in the genital area. The listed symptoms of syphilis disappear, and again appear again, this process can drag on for several years. If for some reason the patient does not apply for help, then the symptoms will progress and syphilis will go to the last, third stage in a few years. Approximately 10 years may pass from infection to the third stage of syphilis. At this stage, patients with syphilis are dangerous as peddlers of domestic syphilis.
The third stage of syphilis is accompanied by a defeat of the patient’s nervous system, brain degradation and personality decay begin. In the third stage, patients are not contagious. Paralysis begins, deafness, the patient falls into depression, this is replaced by a creative upsurge. Gummas are formed, peculiar nodes under the skin, they grow, open, and form ulcers. Syphilitic granulomas occur, they penetrate into the bone tissue and provoke irreversible bone deformations. For example, mouth ulcers cause destruction of the nasal bones. Untreated syphilis ultimately leads to a painful death in pain and insanity.