Today we suggest you talk about the syphilis clinic (symptoms), treatment and prevention. Let's start with the very concept of Syphilis, what does this diagnosis mean? This term refers to a venereological infectious disease that occurs in a chronic form. With syphilis, damage occurs to the skin, mucous membranes, bones, many internal organs, the human immune and nervous system.
Sometimes there is another name for this disease - lues, the pathology is caused by the pale treponema bacterium. The main symptoms include the formation of skin ulcers, a rash, enlarged lymph nodes and weakness.
You can “catch” this infection mainly through sexual contact, but there are other ways: from mother to baby, household method, through a kiss or blood. Syphilis, the etiology, pathogenesis, the clinic and treatment of which we consider in this article, can be treated with timely treatment of the patient for help. But if you do not respond to the manifestations of the disease, then a high probability of death.
Etiology
As mentioned earlier, the causative agent of the disease is pale treponema. In the photo presented in this section, you can see how this bacterium looks.
This microorganism has the form of a spiral. Its width is about 0.2 micrometers, and its length is from 5 to 15 micrometers. The distance between the spirals is the same and is approximately 1 micrometer.
It is also important to note that these microorganisms are very mobile, sometimes they can bend and thereby create a vicious circle, but they will necessarily return to their original position (straightened).
Epidemiology
We now turn to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is alleged that around the world about 15 million people are infected every year.
In the 60s of the twentieth century, the number of infected people increased by as much as 90% (this is about 20 million people). And by the age of 80, a decline in the incidence was observed. Despite this, the overall level is still quite high.
It is also important to note that the disease is more common in large cities. Especially among some population groups:
- women providing intimate services;
- drug addicts;
- persons with multiple sexual partners;
- alcoholics.
In general, everyone who leads an immoral lifestyle.
Pathogenesis
We will consider the syphilis clinic a bit later. Now we will understand how infection occurs. The penetration of the pathogen occurs through damaged skin or mucous membrane. This does not have to be a big wound, sometimes the damage is so microscopic that it is impossible to notice it with the naked eye.
It is worth noting that during sexual or domestic contact of a healthy and sick person, infection does not always occur. But in this case, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment.
The reaction of the body to the penetration of the pathogen is not uniform. Infection may not occur at all, perhaps the classic course of the disease or even asymptomatic syphilis.
In what cases does infection not occur?
- Penetration of a small portion of bacteria.
- The presence in the blood of a high level of substances that cause immobility or death of bacteria (thermolabile, trepno-nemostatic and treponemocidal).
Transmission ways
The main route of transmission is, of course, sexual intercourse. Note, infection can occur absolutely with any form of sexual intimacy (vaginal, anal or oral). A person becomes infected when pale treponema enters the mucous membrane or damaged skin. But, as mentioned earlier, this damage can be microscopic.
In addition, other methods of transmission of this pathology are also distinguished by doctors. These include:
- domestic;
- transfusion;
- professional;
- vertical.
By household is meant infection through household items (for example, dishes or a towel). Transfusion - infection through a blood transfusion (infected medical supplies or finding the infection in the donor blood itself). By professional means the risk of infection of people who come into contact with someone else’s blood (in addition to medical workers, this includes cosmetologists, dentists and representatives of other professions). Do not forget that this disease is transmitted from mother to child.
Kinds
In this section, we will introduce a wide variety of varieties of the disease. So, syphilis is usually classified in this way:
- primary syphilis;
- secondary;
- tertiary;
- congenital;
- other forms with specific symptoms.
This classification is far from complete. Primary syphilis is also usually divided into forms:
- seronegative;
- seropositive;
- latent (i.e. latent syphilis).
Secondary syphilis, the clinic of which will be considered a little later, is divided into subtypes:
Tertiary is divided into active or latent syphilis. But congenital can be early, late or hidden.
In addition, at the very beginning of the chapter, we identified specific forms of syphilis. This group includes:
- neurosyphilis;
- progressive paralysis;
- dorsal dryness;
- syphilis of the brain;
- visceral form;
- unspecified syphilis.
Symptoms of stage 1
In this section, we propose to consider the clinic of primary syphilis. Immediately, we note that the symptomatology directly depends on several factors:
- how long was the contact with the infection;
- what is the state of human health;
- what stage the infection is currently at.
Primary syphilis is the first stage of the disease, the symptoms of which begin to appear a few days, weeks, and sometimes months after contact with a sick person.
So, the symptoms are:
- a hard chancre is formed, that is, a deep and dense sore, which is practically painless, it cannot increase in size or bleed;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- indurative edema appears (usually near the genitals, since most often the infection enters the body of a healthy person through sexual contact), which can be seen by the bulge with a changed skin color, while it is absolutely painless to the touch. This symptom can be observed up to a month after infection;
- weakness, reduced ability to work;
- dizziness and fever are possible.
Symptoms of stage 2
Consider a clinic of secondary syphilis. Immediately it is worth noting the fact that the symptoms of the second stage of the disease are more reminiscent of a cold. So, the symptoms include:
- syphilitic rash, which can occur not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes;
- hair loss or hair loss;
- lymphadenitis (this term implies an increase in lymph nodes, to the touch you can determine the following - they are cold, there is no formation of adhesions, painless or slightly painful);
- increased body temperature (not more than 37.5 degrees Celsius);
- cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (i.e., redness of the mucous membrane of the eye) are possible.
Symptoms of 3 stages
But with the clinic of tertiary syphilis is not so simple. Symptoms characteristic of this stage of the disease may not disturb a person for a very long time, but, nevertheless, he remains the carrier of this dangerous infection. Clinical manifestations may not bother or be minimal for several months or even decades. But with an exacerbation, the picture is much more serious than that of the primary or secondary form of the disease, since all human organs and systems are affected:
- skin and mucous membranes are affected;
- gum (soft tumors that degenerate into scars) are formed;
- syphilitic aortitis;
- syphilitic endarteritis (this and the previous concept mean various vascular lesions);
- progressive paralysis (that is, there is a defeat of a very important organ - the brain);
- affects the bone and muscle systems of a person;
- neurosyphilis (that is, the nervous system suffers).
We propose to talk about the last problem in more detail in the next section of the article.
Symptoms of Neurosyphilis
Considering the clinical manifestations of syphilis, we noted neurosyphilis, which refers to a lesion of the patient’s nervous system. It is worth noting that the development of this pathology falls at the end of the second stage of the disease (secondary syphilis).
What are its symptoms?
- Not only blood vessels are affected, but also the membranes of the brain (brain and spinal cord) also suffer.
- A disease called syphilitic meningitis develops, it is worth noting that its form of the course is chronic.
- Symptom of Argyll-Robertson.
- Syphilitic neuritis or meningoencephalitis may be less common.
- The support under the patient's legs is almost not felt.
- A person suffers from frequent headaches and dizziness, he suffers from insomnia.
- Visual function is impaired.
- Among the disorders of mental activity, inattention, lethargy and forgetfulness are distinguished.
Symptoms of Congenital Syphilis
We suggest analyzing in this section the causes, clinic, treatment and prevention of congenital syphilis. Let's start with the main one - the path of infection. Infection occurs even in the womb (provided that the mother is the carrier of the infection). It is worth paying attention to the fact that the baby is just starting to form, and this leads to many violations that ultimately affect the quality of life of the crumbs. The pathologies with which the child was born, even after stopping the infection, remain constant companions of life.
So what is the clinic for congenital syphilis? After the birth of infected babies, you can notice the following pathologies in them:
- deafness
- parenchymal keratitis;
- hypoplasia of tooth tissue.
Diagnostics
So, in the previous sections, we figured out the issue of the symptoms (clinic) of syphilis, we suggest that you consider the diagnosis right now. It includes many events:
- visual examination of the patient and interrogation;
- OAC and blood biochemistry;
- cerebrospinal fluid is examined;
- serodiagnosis is carried out;
- PCR;
- ELISA and cardiolipin test;
- REEF;
- RPGA;
- RIBT;
- MPA.
All these procedures help to identify the presence of infection in the human body, recognize the type of disease and prescribe adequate treatment.
Treatment
In this article, we analyze the clinic and treatment of syphilis, we have already considered the symptoms, we can proceed to the question of therapy.
As already mentioned earlier, for the diagnosis of the disease, examination and questioning of the patient, the delivery of some tests is necessary. Today, this disease can be cured absolutely at any stage. However, do not delay the visit to the doctor, the faster you do this, the easier it will be to stop the infection.
Just note that the treatment of primary syphilis is not carried out in a hospital. You will have to go to the hospital only if any complications are revealed or the second stage of the disease begins to develop.
In total, there are two methods of fighting the infection: medication and physiotherapy. We offer to get acquainted with each method separately.
Drug therapy
Syphilis, the symptoms, clinic and diagnosis of which is considered in this article, is treated individually, despite the presence of regulated regimens. An individual approach is necessary, since the features of the course and patient intolerance to the drugs are taken into account.
In total, 2 types of drug treatment are distinguished:
- chronically intermittent;
- continuous.
It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions given by the attending physician. This is the only way to get rid of the disease and avoid serious consequences. Throughout the treatment, the doctor monitors the well-being of the patient and, if necessary, changes the dosage or drugs.
The therapeutic complex includes:
- anti-syphilitic drugs;
- immunomodulators;
- multivitamins.
In addition, concurrent treatment of concomitant diseases is carried out. Throughout the treatment period, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol and smoke. You need to eat well and observe sleep patterns and activity.
Drugs for antibiotic therapy:
- Amoxicillin;
- "Bicillin";
- "Tetracycline";
- Erythromycin;
- Ceftriaxone and so on.
Immunomodulators:
- Laferon;
- "Lycopid";
- "Plazmol" and others.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
Private clinics and public health institutions that specialize in this disease are involved in the treatment of syphilis. In addition to drug treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are used to alleviate the patient's condition:
- inductothermy;
- magnetotherapy;
- UHF therapy;
- laser therapy.
Folk remedies
Syphilis, the clinic and treatment of which we have already examined, can be treated with traditional medicine. Please note that all recipes should be discussed with your doctor. Do not self-medicate!
In this section we give two common folk remedies.
- Get sedge roots at the pharmacy. Take 20 grams of the plant, chop and pour boiling water (600 milliliters). Next, send the resulting mixture to a slow fire and cook until the liquid is half as much. Cool and strain the product. You need to take it 3 times a day.
- For this recipe you will need a field level. 1.5 tablespoons of the crushed plant is poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for 4 hours. After the infusion, you must strain and take 5 times a day for 1 teaspoon.
Prevention
Considering the clinic of syphilis, diagnosis and treatment, we cannot ignore a very important topic, namely, the prevention of the disease. What measures should be taken to avoid infection?
- A very important rule is to prevent promiscuous sex life, especially if these faces are completely unfamiliar to you.
- From childhood, it is worth instilling in children an understanding that extramarital affairs are bad. It is worth noting that this is a ban not only on the moral side, but also on the spiritual side, because, according to biblical scriptures, fornication is a sin.
- After sexual intercourse, you must take a bath, be sure to wash your genitals with soapy water.
- Use contraceptives, but do not forget that no manufacturer gives a 100% guarantee.
- Do not be shy to contact a doctor, go for his consultation at the first sign of an illness.
- Do not go to little-known and questionable cosmetic and dental clinics.
- Avoid tattoos, they not only spoil the natural beauty of a person, but can also cause syphilis.
- It is very important not to forget to observe the rules of personal hygiene.
These simple tips will help prevent infection.
Complications
If symptoms are found, you must urgently go to the doctor. But to whom to turn? A syphilidologist or venereologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of this problem. Sometimes consultation with other specialists is also necessary (a gynecologist for women, and a urologist for men).
Timely seeking medical help will help to avoid a number of very unpleasant consequences. This list includes:
- ectims;
- rupees;
- gummas;
- blindness (in the event that the optic nerve atrophies);
- hearing loss;
- disability;
- miscarriages for women.
Among the problems of the cardiovascular system, stroke, vasculitis, endocarditis and other diseases are distinguished. Among diseases of the musculoskeletal system, bursitis, reactive osteitis, synovitis and others are distinguished. In addition, syphilis is often the cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Lethal outcome is also possible.