Content
The main form of transmission of syphilis is through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, but it can also happen through contact with blood or mucosa of people infected by the bacteria Treponema pallidum, which is the microorganism responsible for the disease.
The main forms of transmission of syphilis include:
- Sexual intercourse without a condom with a person who has a skin wound, whether in the genital, anal or oral region, caused by the bacteria responsible for syphilis;
- Direct contact with blood of people with syphilis;
- Needle sharing, in the case of injecting drug use, for example, where the bacteria present in one person's blood can pass to another;
- From mother to child through the placenta at any stage of pregnancy and also through normal delivery if the baby comes into contact with the syphilis wound.
The first sign of a syphilis infection is the appearance of a single, hard, painless wound on the skin, which, if left untreated, can disappear spontaneously without leaving any scars in place. In men, the most affected site is the penis glans and around the urethra, in women, the most affected sites are the small lips, walls of the vagina and cervix.
The syphilis wound can be very small, measuring less than 1 cm and many times the person does not even know that they have it, so it is important to go to the gynecologist or urologist at least once a year to check whether there are changes or not and perform tests that can identify possible diseases. Here's how to identify the first symptoms of syphilis.
Learn more details about syphilis and how it evolves:
How to protect yourself from syphilis
The best way to prevent syphilis is through the use of condoms in all intimate contact, as the condom forms a barrier that prevents skin-to-skin contact and prevents the transmission not only of bacteria, but also of fungi and viruses, preventing against other sexually transmitted diseases.
In addition, one should avoid coming into direct contact with anyone's blood and do not get pierced or get a tattoo in a place that does not have the necessary hygiene conditions, and it is not recommended to reuse disposable materials, such as needles, for example, because it can favor not only the transmission of syphilis, but also other diseases.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for syphilis should be instituted as soon as possible to avoid worsening the disease and its consequences. Treatment should be done according to the doctor's guidance, and the use of Benzathine Penicillin is normally recommended, which is capable of eliminating the bacteria. It is important that the treatment is done according to the doctor's guidance, because when the treatment is done correctly and even when there are no symptoms, the chances of cure are very high. Learn how to cure syphilis.
If the disease is not treated immediately, it can evolve, resulting in complications and characterizing secondary syphilis, which happens when the causative agent of the disease is not limited only to the genital region, but has already reached the bloodstream and has begun to multiply. This leads to the appearance of systemic signs and symptoms, such as the presence of wounds on the palms of the hands and wounds on the face, similar to acne, with skin peeling.
In tertiary syphilis, other organs are affected, in addition to skin lesions spread over large areas. The organs most easily affected are the bones, heart, central and peripheral nervous system.