Syphilis

Syphilis, often called the “great imitator,” is a serious sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Although treatable, this infection can be deceiving in its early stages, with its painless symptoms, leading to serious problems in the long run if left untreated. This is why understanding every stage of syphilis is important. 

1.0What is Syphilis?

• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is also known as the great imitator due to its symptoms resembling those of various other diseases, making diagnosis challenging. 
• As the name suggests, this disease is primarily transmitted by sexual contact and affects the genitals, mouth, or anus in the early stages. If left untreated, syphilis can result in failure of other body organs or systems, such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, and bones. 

2.0Causes of Syphilis 

The main cause of Syphilis is the bacterium Treponema pallidum, a thin, spiral-shaped bacterium, which is spread by various means of transmission: 

1. Unprotected Sexual Contact: Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with an infected person is the main cause of transmission of this disease. 
2. Congenital Transmission: A mother, when infected with syphilis during pregnancy, can transfer her disease to the fetus. This can be a serious health concern for babies and newborns. 
3. Rare routes: Although rare, syphilis can be transferred even by non-sexual contact with an infected person. It can also be transferred through contaminated blood transfer. 

3.0Stages of Syphilis

Syphilis is spread internally in the body in four main stages.

4.0How Treponema pallidum Escapes the Immune System?

• These bacteria have very few surface proteins, making it hard for the immune system to differentiate between native and foreign cells. 
• It has a high speed, which helps them quickly move through tissues and the bloodstream. 
• These little wanderers can remain dormant in the liver, brain, heart, and other organs for years, leading to latent and then tertiary syphilis. 

5.0Diagnosis of Syphilis 

Early and accurate diagnosis of syphilis is essential for early treatment and to escape the complications of this serious disease: 

• Direct Detection: It is the method of taking a piece of skin or fluid from the syphilis sore to detect the presence of bacteria under the microscope. 
• Serological Tests: Several confirmatory and non-confirmatory blood tests are also performed to detect antibodies in the bloodstream produced by the immune system against this bacterium.  

6.0Treatment of Syphilis

• Syphilis is a 100% curable disease, with treatment generally consisting of antibiotics (medicines used to fight and cure bacterial infection) shots. 
• The most common antibiotic used for syphilis is Penicillin, and the number of doses for the same differs based on the stage of syphilis. 
• Pregnant women or people who are allergic to penicillin undergo a process before the start of treatment. 
• The initial treatment or dose of the medicine can trigger a short-lived reaction, known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, characterised by fever, chills, and muscle pain. 
• This happens because bacteria die rapidly in the body, so there's no need to panic. 

7.0Prevention and Public Health Measures 

Prevention is always better than treatment of a disease itself, and syphilis is no exception. Take care of these preventive and public health measures to avoid getting affected by this disease: 

• Safe Sex Practices: The major cause of transmission of syphilis is unprotected sex practices. So make sure to understand the correct use of condoms, limit partners, etc. 
• Regular STI Screening: Try to undergo routine STI screening tests to detect disease early, if present. 
• Partner Notification and Treatment: If your sexual partner is infected with the disease, make sure to get tested and treated as soon as possible to break the chain of transmission.  
• Antenatal Care: Pregnant women, especially those infected with syphilis, must go through regular tests to prevent congenital syphilis. 
• Awareness: Educate communities and people about the symptoms and causes of this disease.