Syphilis

The bacterium Treponema pallidum causes the sexually transmitted infection known as syphilis. It presents in several stages, each with distinct symptoms, ranging from painless sores and rashes to severe complications affecting the heart and nervous system. Timely medical intervention is essential to treat syphilis effectively and prevent long-term health problems. In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of syphilis to help you better understand this complex disease.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is an infection transmitted through sexual contact and caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria. It mainly spreads through direct contact with syphilis sores or rashes during sexual activities, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Additionally, it can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth, leading to congenital syphilis. The infection advances through various stages, each with unique symptoms. Without treatment, syphilis can result in severe health issues affecting the heart, brain, and other essential organs.

Syphilis presents with a range of symptoms that vary depending on the stage and severity of the infection. These include:

• Chancre: A painless, firm sore or ulcer at the site of infection, usually appearing on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. It typically heals on its own within three to six weeks.

• Skin rash: Reddish-brown spots or bumps on the trunk, arms, and legs, often accompanied by mucous membrane lesions in the mouth, vagina, or anus. This rash usually occurs during the secondary stage.

• Mucous membrane lesions: Grey or white sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus, which may be painful or tender and are characteristic of secondary syphilis.

• Swollen lymph nodes: Tender, swollen lymph nodes in areas such as the neck, armpits, or groin, commonly seen during the secondary stage.

• Fever: A general increase in body temperature, often accompanied by sore throat and malaise, typical during the secondary stage.

• Hair loss: Patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, or other areas of the body, which can occur during the secondary stage.

• Gumma: Soft, tumour-like growths that can appear on the skin, bones, or internal organs, typically associated with the tertiary stage.

• Heart conditions: Aneurysms or inflammation of the aorta, leading to serious conditions such as heart failure or stroke, seen in the tertiary stage.

• Neurological symptoms: Headaches, confusion, difficulty walking, sensory disturbances, and, in severe cases, paralysis or dementia, which occur when syphilis affects the nervous system (neurosyphilis).

• Congenital symptoms: In newborns, symptoms of congenital syphilis include skin rashes, fever, irritability, swollen lymph nodes, and skeletal abnormalities, which can cause serious developmental issues if untreated.

Syphilis progresses through four distinct stages if left untreated. These include:

• Primary syphilis: This initial stage occurs 2 to 12 weeks after exposure. It is characterised by the appearance of a small, smooth, painless sore called a chancre at the site of infection, which can be on the genitals, mouth, or anus. The chancre heals on its own within 3 to 6 weeks, but the infection remains and can be transmitted to others during this stage.

• Secondary syphilis: Beginning 1 to 6 months after the primary chancre has healed, this stage is marked by a rough, red, or reddish-brown rash that can cover the entire body, including the palms and soles. Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, muscle aches, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. This stage is also contagious.

• Latent syphilis: During this stage, there are no visible signs or symptoms of syphilis, although the bacteria are still present in the body. It can last for years and may occur between the primary and secondary stages or after the secondary stage. Even without symptoms, the infection can still be passed to others during the early latent stage.

• Tertiary (late) syphilis: This final stage occurs 10 to 30 years after the initial infection. It can cause serious health problems, including damage to the heart, brain, nervous system, and other organs. Symptoms can include severe headaches, muscle weakness, changes in mental state, dementia, and ocular or otic syphilis, which can lead to blindness or hearing loss. This stage is not contagious.

Some of the causes of syphilis include:

• Sexual contact: The primary mode of transmission is through direct sexual contact with an infected person. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The bacteria spread through sores or lesions present on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.

• Direct contact with sores: Syphilis can be contracted by coming into direct contact with syphilitic sores or ulcers, which are typically found during the primary and secondary stages of the disease. These sores can be present on external genitalia, the anus, or in the mouth.

• Congenital transmission: Pregnant women with syphilis can pass the infection to their baby during pregnancy. This transmission occurs through the placenta, leading to congenital syphilis, which can cause serious health issues for the newborn.

• Shared needles: While rare, syphilis can potentially be transmitted through infected blood or tissue, such as through sharing needles.

• Lack of protection: Engaging in unprotected sex with an infected individual significantly increases the risk of contracting syphilis. The absence of barriers like condoms during sexual activity increases the chance of exposure to the bacteria.

• Infected partner: Having a sexual partner who has syphilis, especially if they are in the infectious stages of the disease, poses a high risk. The likelihood of transmission is higher if the partner has open sores or lesions.

Certain factors can increase the risk of contracting syphilis, including:

• Having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with an infected person

• Having multiple sexual partners

• Being a man who has sex with men (MSM)

• Having HIV or another STI

• Being in close contact with an infected person's sore or rash

• Being born to a mother with syphilis

• Sharing needles or syringes for drug use

• Living in areas with high rates of syphilis

To reduce the risk of syphilis, it is crucial to practice safe sex by using condoms consistently and correctly, limiting the number of sexual partners, and getting regular STI testing, especially if you are at higher risk.

If left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe complications that affect various parts of the body. These include:

• Neurological problems: Syphilis can invade the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system, causing a range of issues such as headaches, stroke, meningitis, confusion, personality changes, and symptoms resembling dementia. It may also lead to memory loss, impaired judgement, decision-making difficulties, paralysis, and erectile dysfunction.

• Cardiovascular complications: The infection can damage heart valves and cause aneurysms (bulging blood vessels) or inflammation of the aorta. These cardiovascular problems may result in angina, aortic aneurysm, and heart failure.

• Eye and ear issues: Ocular syphilis occurs when the infection spreads to the eyes, causing eye pain, redness, vision changes, and even blindness. Otosyphilis affects the ears, potentially leading to hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

• Skin and organ damage: In the late stage of syphilis, bumps called gummas can develop on the skin, bones, liver, or other organs, destroying the surrounding tissue.

• Pregnancy complications: Pregnant women with syphilis can transmit the disease to their unborn babies, resulting in congenital syphilis. This may lead to miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, or death of the newborn. Infected babies may exhibit symptoms such as sores, rashes, jaundice, anaemia, and bone changes.

Preventing syphilis involves a combination of safe sexual practices and regular screening. These include:

• Use condoms: Using condoms during vaginal, anal, or oral sex significantly reduces the risk of contracting syphilis.

• Limit sexual partners: Having fewer sexual partners decreases the likelihood of exposure to syphilis.

• Avoid sharing needles: Sharing needles for intravenous drug use increases the risk of transmitting syphilis.

• Regular testing: Individuals at higher risk, such as those with HIV or other STDs, should undergo regular screening for syphilis.

• Pregnancy screening: All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis during their first prenatal visit, and those at high risk should be tested again in the third trimester and at delivery.

Diagnosing syphilis involves a combination of physical examination, blood tests, and, in some cases, examination of the fluid from syphilis sores. Here are the common diagnostic methods:

• Physical examination: Your doctor will check for syphilis sores, rashes, or other visible signs of the infection on your body.

• Blood tests: These tests look for antibodies that your body produces in response to the syphilis bacteria. The two main types include:

  • Nontreponemal tests (e.g., VDRL or RPR): These tests measure antibodies that are not specific to syphilis but are produced in response to cell damage caused by the infection.

  • Treponemal tests (e.g., TPHA, FTA-ABS, or TPPA): These tests detect antibodies that are specific to the syphilis bacteria. They are used to confirm a positive nontreponemal test result.

• Darkfield microscopy: In the primary stage of syphilis, your doctor may take a sample of fluid from a syphilis sore and examine it under a microscope to look for the presence of syphilis bacteria.

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis: If your doctor suspects that syphilis has affected your nervous system, they may perform a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to collect a sample of CSF for analysis.

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, most commonly benzathine penicillin, which is highly effective. The specific treatment depends on the stage of the disease; a single injection is usually sufficient for early stages, while more extended courses are needed for late-stage or neurological syphilis. For individuals allergic to penicillin, alternatives like doxycycline or tetracycline may be prescribed. It is important that sexual partners are also tested and treated to prevent reinfection. Pregnant women with a penicillin allergy require desensitisation to penicillin, as it is the only antibiotic that can treat both mother and baby.

If you have been diagnosed with syphilis, there are several important points to keep in mind. These include:

• Avoid sexual activity for at least one week after treatment and until all symptoms have resolved.

• Attend all follow-up appointments as scheduled by your doctor to ensure the infection has been successfully treated.

• Inform your sexual partner(s) about your diagnosis so they can be tested and treated if necessary.

• Use latex condoms and/or dental dams during sexual activity to prevent re-infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

• If you are pregnant, it is crucial to receive proper treatment to prevent passing the infection to your baby.

If you suspect you may have syphilis or have been exposed to someone with the infection, it is crucial to consult a doctor promptly. Key signs and symptoms that warrant medical attention include a painless sore or ulcer on the genitals, anus, or mouth; a rash on the body, particularly on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet; flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes; and neurological symptoms like headaches, vision changes, or hearing loss. Pregnant women who suspect they have syphilis should seek testing and treatment immediately to prevent transmitting the infection to their baby, as this can lead to severe complications.

• Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, primarily spread through sexual contact.

• The infection progresses through distinct stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary syphilis.

• Symptoms vary depending on the stage of the infection and can include painless sores, rashes, flu-like symptoms, and neurological complications.

• Diagnosis of syphilis is made through a combination of physical examination, blood tests (such as RPR and TPHA), and, in some cases, cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

• Treatment for syphilis depends on the stage of the infection and typically involves intramuscular injections of benzathine penicillin G. Alternative treatments are available for those allergic to penicillin.

• Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the progression of the infection and its potential complications.

• Regular follow-up and serologic monitoring are crucial for individuals living with syphilis to ensure successful treatment and detect any signs of treatment failure or complications.