Syphilis is considered one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Infection is transmitted predominantly during unprotected intercourse, although other routes of transmission are also possible. Syphilis in women is accompanied by a very characteristic set of symptoms, the appearance of which should not be ignored.
Of course, many people are interested in additional information about this disease. How can I catch an infection? How long does the incubation period last? What are the symptoms of syphilis in men and women? What treatment methods does modern medicine offer? What are the consequences of the lack of therapy? Answers to these questions are important to many readers.
Description and characteristics of the pathogen
To begin with, it is worthwhile to understand the causes of syphilis in women and men. The causative agent is a bacterium - pale treponema. The habitat of this microbe is the human or animal organism.
This is a type of gram-negative spirochetes. The bacterium was discovered in 1905 by German scientists F. Schaudin and E. Hoffmann. Its genome is represented by a double-stranded DNA molecule. The cell is surrounded by a structureless substance that plays the role of a protective capsule. The bacterium stains according to the Romanovsky method in a pale, pinkish tint.
How is the infection transmitted?
Many people are interested in questions about how syphilis manifests itself in women and what complications it can lead to. But first, it’s worth learning more about how the infection spreads. There are several ways to transmit treponema:
- According to statistics, in more than 90% of cases, infection occurs during unprotected intercourse. Not only vaginal, but also oral and anal contacts are dangerous.
- A household transmission route is also possible, for example, when sharing cutlery, toothbrushes, lipstick and other items on which saliva of an infected person can remain.
- Of course, the infection is also transmitted through the blood, for example, during transfusion or when sharing a single syringe.
- The risk group includes medical personnel. The doctor can easily catch an infection in contact with patients (if masks, medical gloves were not used).
- Treponema also penetrates the placenta. Pregnant women with syphilis can transmit the infection to the developing fetus.
That is why it is so important to use appropriate protective measures and not to miss scheduled examinations by a venereologist.
Incubation period
As already mentioned, a pathogenic bacterium enters the body through damage to the mucous membranes and skin. Immediately after getting into the tissue, microorganisms begin to divide approximately once every 30 hours.
Gradually, the number of bacteria increases. At the site of invasion, a chancre is formed - this is the first manifestation of syphilis in women (as well as men). Such a neoplasm, as a rule, appears a month after the invasion. On the other hand, in some patients the incubation period lasts 1-2 weeks, in others this process takes 6 months - a lot here depends on the state of the immune system.
Primary syphilis in women: features of the clinical picture
It is worth noting that this ailment develops in three stages. Genital syphilis in women is accompanied by the appearance of the so-called hard chancre. This is a solid subcutaneous formation of a rounded shape with clear, pronounced edges. A similar structure appears at the site of infection, for example, on the tissues of the genitals, in the anus, less often on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity or fingers. Palpation of the tumor is not accompanied by pain. In most cases, only one chancre appears.
The second characteristic symptom is an increase in lymph nodes, which are located close to the site of infection. For example, if the chancre was formed in the tissues of the external genitalia, then the lymph nodes in the inguinal zone increase.
The appearance of uncharacteristic discharge with syphilis in women is also possible, but this is not the main symptom. The mucus secreted from the vagina becomes thicker. If the chancre is located on the cervix, blood veins may appear. By the way, a change in the chemical composition of mucus affects the genitals. Syphilis in women is often accompanied by burning, itching, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes of the external structures of the reproductive system.
In addition, there are signs of general intoxication. Perhaps a slight, temporary increase in body temperature, dizziness, weakness, fatigue. However, these disorders of the patient are usually attributed to ordinary overwork.
This is how the first signs of syphilis in women look. Unfortunately, the ailment is not always accompanied by the appearance of chancre. Moreover, if the neoplasm appears on the inner surface of the vagina or cervix, the patient simply cannot detect it on his own. That is why the disease passes into either secondary or latent form.
What does syphilis look like in women? Symptoms of the secondary stage
What do you need to remember? The first sign of syphilis in women is the appearance of chancre. But about 1.5 to 2 months after its formation, other symptoms are also observed. Bacteria spread throughout the body along with blood, provoking a response from the immune system.
Isolation of specific antibodies and inflammatory mediators leads to the formation of a very characteristic rash. Reddish spots, nodules, papules, purulent sores form on the skin. Rashes have a reddish hue - they appear symmetrically throughout the body. Such a rash is not prone to peeling. Moreover, the elements do not merge with each other by the edges.
This phase is accompanied by fever, chills, body aches. The loss of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, the formation of wide condylomas on the body are characteristic signs of syphilis in women at this stage.
In the future, the immune system still manages to suppress the activity of pathogenic bacteria - rashes and other disorders disappear on their own. However, treponema remains in the body. Any weakening of the immune system leads to a relapse - the lymph nodes increase again, a rash appears on the skin, however, now it covers a large area.
This stage can last several years. But, as a rule, in the second year, treponema is already accompanied by lesions of the nervous system, liver and heart. Inflammation of the walls of blood vessels that carry blood to the brain is possible. Some patients develop meningitis. Infection affects various parts of the central nervous system, which leads to impaired memory, attention, and coordination of movements. The appearance of psychotic disorders is possible - such changes are irreversible.
Tertiary syphilis
The secondary stage ends with a latent period. This stage is accompanied by an almost complete absence of syphilis symptoms in women. There are no rashes, irritations, or other signs on the labia, mucous membranes, or skin that can alert the patient. This period of relative well-being lasts from 1 to 20 years, after which the disease passes into the last stage.
Tertiary syphilis is extremely dangerous. Infection at this stage affects almost all organ systems. The so-called gummas are formed on the tissues - purulent tumors, which increase in size and open with the formation of scars. Often, such formations appear on the skin of the face and neck. Gummas are often infected with other bacteria and viruses, which leads to the formation of abscesses and even gangrene. Quite often, this stage of the disease ends in disability or the death of the patient.
Damage to the nervous system during infection
As already mentioned, the infection leads to serious, irreversible changes in the brain tissue:
- Infection sometimes leads to the destruction of the walls of blood vessels that nourish the structure of the central nervous system. Such a process affects the patient’s mental and emotional state - sleep disturbances, changes in personality and behavioral patterns, and headaches are observed. Sometimes cramps occur. The absence of treatment in this case is fraught with a stroke.
- Purulent gums are often formed in the tissues of the brain. Their presence leads to an increase in intracranial pressure and occlusion of nerve tissues.
- Tertiary syphilis is often accompanied by inflammation of the meninges.
- Diseases sometimes affect the spinal cord - spinal cord develops. The patient loses the ability to move, and his ability to navigate in space is impaired.
- There is a chance of atrophy of the optic nerve.
- Many patients with tertiary syphilis suffer from progressive paralysis.
Atypical chancres
Not in all cases, the clinical picture is accompanied by the above symptoms. Chancres that appear at the initial stage of development can be atypical:
- Inductive edema most often occurs in the external labia and clitoris in patients. Skin color changes, it takes on a red or cyanotic hue.
- Chancre panaritium is a problem that is often encountered by doctors and staff who care for patients. The infection in this case penetrates the body through the integument on the hands. The skin on the thumb, forefinger and middle finger swells and begins to lag behind the deeper tissues, forming extensive bleeding areas (in appearance they resemble second-degree burns). This condition is accompanied by severe pain and is often complicated by a secondary infection. Often, damage to the skin of the palm is supplemented by the formation of chancre in the tissues of the genital organs.
- Chancre-amygdalitis is manifested by an inflammatory process localized in one tonsil. This structure is rapidly growing in size. Patients complain of severe pain that occurs during a conversation, eating, drinking.
Infection during pregnancy
Pregnant women with syphilis should receive appropriate treatment. The presence of an infection in the mother’s body significantly increases the risk of preterm birth. In addition, the infection penetrates the placenta, infecting the fetus. Treponema activity can lead to various abnormalities in the development of the child, and also increases the likelihood of stillbirth.
What is congenital syphilis dangerous?
As already mentioned, if a pregnant woman is infected with a pathogenic bacterium, then the infection can spread to the fetus. Congenital forms of such a disease are extremely dangerous. On the background of the disease, babies often develop severe complications:
- Infection sometimes leads to the development of parenchymal keratitis. This condition is accompanied by inflammation and redness of the epithelial tissues of the eyeball and internal organs. If we are talking about eye damage, then a decrease in visual acuity, the appearance of an eyesore.
- Treponema penetrates the fetal nervous system and actively destroys neurons. This can lead to pathological changes in the auditory nerve and congenital deafness.
- There is a chance of abnormal tooth development. If the tissue is improperly placed, the teeth may have an irregular shape (there is a rounded notch on the cutting edge of the tooth). Sometimes the teeth are not completely covered with enamel, which leads to their rapid destruction.
- Perhaps the child has no structural abnormalities. However, the baby is likely to have weak immunity.
If a woman became infected after childbirth, then breastfeeding is not recommended, since treponema is excreted from the body along with milk. That is why it is necessary to check for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases at the stage of pregnancy planning.
Diagnostic measures
The appearance of the first symptoms of syphilis in a woman described above is a serious reason to consult a doctor. Diagnostics includes several basic procedures:
- Obligatory is a gynecological examination. As already mentioned, syphilis in women is accompanied by the appearance of chancre, mainly on the tissues of the external genital organs, vagina or cervix. In place of the chancre, a very characteristic scar or atrophied area often remains. It is this symptom that a doctor can detect.
- A general inspection is also being conducted. The skin of the patient is checked for a characteristic rash. In addition, you need to examine the lymph nodes.
- For laboratory analysis, cerebrospinal fluid is taken, as well as samples obtained during puncture of the lymph nodes. Informative is PCR diagnostics, as well as ELISA, RIF and Wasserman reaction.
- Of course, in the future, additional examinations are carried out, the purpose of which is to determine the presence of complications. Patients are sent for electrocardiography, ultrasound of the pelvic organs and abdominal cavity, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
The general scheme of therapy
The onset of syphilis symptoms in women is associated with penetration into the body and activation of treponemas. That is why antibacterial therapy is primarily carried out:
- In most cases, patients are prescribed antibiotics from the penicillin group. If women have hypersensitivity to penicillin, then it can be replaced with a remedy from a number of tetracyclines or cephalosporins. In secondary and tertiary syphilis, drugs containing bismuth and iodine (for example, “Bioquinol”), as well as arsenic (“Novarsenol”) are used. It is necessary to maintain a certain level of antibiotics in the blood for at least 7 to 10 days.
- Mandatory is the administration of immunomodulators. It is very important to activate the immune system - this will speed up the recovery process, help the body fight the infection on its own. Such drugs as T-Activin and Timalin are considered effective.
- Doctors recommend that patients take pro- and prebiotics, in particular Linex, Hilaka, Latsidofila. Such drugs help restore the body's natural microflora and create conditions for the active reproduction of beneficial bacteria. Such treatment is necessary to prevent dysbiosis, which is often associated with the use of antibiotics.
- It will also be useful to take medications that contain vitamins and minerals. This helps to restore normal functioning of the body, as well as strengthen the immune system.
- If we are talking about the secondary and tertiary stages of syphilis in women, then symptomatic therapy is also carried out. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, special ointments that help cope with a skin rash, nootropics that improve blood circulation in the brain and activate the central nervous system are used.
Predictions for Patients
You already know why syphilis occurs in women and how it manifests. If we are talking about the primary and secondary stages of the disease, then drug therapy has the desired effect. A day after the start of treatment, the woman ceases to be infectious.
But tertiary syphilis is accompanied by severe systemic lesions. Of course, antibiotic therapy allows you to get rid of the infection, but it is not always possible to completely restore the body. For example, brain damage due to syphilis is irreversible. According to statistics, in 25% of cases, the tertiary form of the disease ends fatally.
Preventive actions
Unfortunately, specific prophylactic agents do not exist. Patients are advised only to avoid exposure to risk factors. For example, you should abandon promiscuous sexual contacts. It is important to use a condom (it is also about oral and anal acts).
Doctors and medical staff should be aware of masks, protective gloves, proper sterilization of instruments, and other precautions.
If for some reason or another you still have to contact a person whose body is affected by a treponema, it is important to give him an individual set of dishes, towels, refuse kisses and other contacts (until the completion of the course of therapy).