Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection which usually transmitted at the time of sexual interaction. The spirochete bacterium which is solely responsible for the outcome of this disease is known as Treponema pallidum. Instead of transmitting at the time of sexual intercourse this disease may spread from mother to foetus either in pregnancy or at the time of birth which is known as congenital syphilis. This disease usually affects genital, rectum area having a painless start. Transmission of this disease may be occurred due to contact of mucous membrane or skin contact.

The bacteria may also present in the body in the supressed stage for a long time. Usually this disease is diagnosed by doctors either by blood test or by dark field microscopy. Antibiotic is an effective material which can control this disease. Heart, brain as well as other organs in human body may be affected severely by the prolonged infection of this disease. A penicillin injection can reduce this disease effectively in human body. There is a possible chance for affecting via HIV virus causing AIDS who have already affected genital sores by this disease. This disease may be life threatening to human in some cases.

There is a basic difference between the sign & symptoms of any disease. Symptoms are only felt by the patient whereas the signs can be detected by both the patient and the doctors. Like other diseases this disease also has some unique symptoms though most people cannot experience any symptoms as they are mild at the early stage of the disease. As this disease develops in some stages so the symptoms also get changed from one stage to another.

The stages which belongs to this disease are i) Primary Syphilis ii) Secondary syphilis iii) Latent syphilis iv) Tertiary (late) syphilis v) Congenital syphilis. The symptoms of this disease vary from person to person.

Some of the usual symptoms are discussed in the following:

Chancre is the first sign of primary syphilis which is usually sore present on the body of the patient through which the bacteria enters to the body. The number of the sore may vary from one to many in different persons. It usually develops after three weeks of exposure. As this is a painless symptom sometimes also found hidden in the vagina so many persons do not notice it.
Appearance of rash which starts on the trunk gradually covering whole the body is the most important symptom indicating the second stage of the Syphilis that is Secondary Syphilis.
Low fever: The temperature of the body of the affected person varies from 99°F to 101°F.
Saddle nose and deafness is noticeable symptom of this disease.
Headache: From mild to severe headache is being felt by the patient which lasts for short to long period also.
Sore throat: Sore throat may also be a prominent symptom for this disease.
Muscle aches arises which is followed by the appearance of the swollen lymph nodes which makes the patient feeling uncomfortable.

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