Syphilis: Difference between revisions

From Robin's SM-201 Website
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "{{header}} '''Syphilis''' is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission o...")
 
No edit summary
Line 8: Line 8:


== Signs and symptoms ==
== Signs and symptoms ==
Syphilis can present in one of four different stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. It may also occur congenitally. It has been referred to as "great imitator of skin diseases" due to its varied presentations.
Syphilis can present in one of four different stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. It may also occur congenitally. It has been referred to as "great imitator of skin diseases" due to its varied presentations.


===  Primary ===
===  Primary ===
Primary chancre of syphilis on the hand.Primary syphilis is typically acquired via direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person. Approximately 3-90 days after the initial exposure (average 21 days) a skin lesion appears at the point of contact called a chancre. This is classically (40% of the time) a single firm, painless, non itchy skin ulceration with a clean base and sharp borders between 0.3 and 3 cm in size. Occasionally multiple lesions may be present. Lesions outside of the genitals may be painful. Lymph node enlargement frequently (80%) occurs around the area of infection. The lesion may persist for 3 to 6 weeks without treatment.
Primary chancre of syphilis on the hand.Primary syphilis is typically acquired via direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person. Approximately 3-90 days after the initial exposure (average 21 days) a skin lesion appears at the point of contact called a chancre. This is classically (40% of the time) a single firm, painless, non itchy skin ulceration with a clean base and sharp borders between 0.3 and 3 cm in size. Occasionally multiple lesions may be present. Lesions outside of the genitals may be painful. Lymph node enlargement frequently (80%) occurs around the area of infection. The lesion may persist for 3 to 6 weeks without treatment.


=== Secondary===
=== Secondary===
Secondary syphilis occurs approximately 4 to 10 weeks after the primary infection. There are many different manifestations of secondary disease. There may be a symmetrical reddish-pink non-itchy rash on the trunk and extremities including the palms and soles.] The rash may become maculopapular or pustular. On mucous membranes it may form flat, broad, whitish, wart-like lesions known as condyloma latum. All of these lesions are infectious, harboring bacteria. Other symptoms may include fever, sore throat, malaise, weight loss, hair loss, and headache. Rare manifestations include hepatitis, kidney disease, arthritis, periostitis, optic neuritis, uveitis, and interstitial keratitis. The acute symptoms usually resolve after 3 to 6 weeks.
Secondary syphilis occurs approximately 4 to 10 weeks after the primary infection. There are many different manifestations of secondary disease. There may be a symmetrical reddish-pink non-itchy rash on the trunk and extremities including the palms and soles.] The rash may become maculopapular or pustular. On mucous membranes it may form flat, broad, whitish, wart-like lesions known as condyloma latum. All of these lesions are infectious, harboring bacteria. Other symptoms may include fever, sore throat, malaise, weight loss, hair loss, and headache. Rare manifestations include hepatitis, kidney disease, arthritis, periostitis, optic neuritis, uveitis, and interstitial keratitis. The acute symptoms usually resolve after 3 to 6 weeks.
=== Latent===
=== Latent===
Latent syphilis is defined as having serologic proof of infection without signs or symptoms of disease. It is further described as either early (less than 1 year after secondary syphilis) or late (more than 1 year after secondary syphilis). Early latent syphilis may have relapses of symptoms. Late latent syphilis is asymptomatic and not as contagious as early latent syphilis.
Latent syphilis is defined as having serologic proof of infection without signs or symptoms of disease. It is further described as either early (less than 1 year after secondary syphilis) or late (more than 1 year after secondary syphilis). Early latent syphilis may have relapses of symptoms. Late latent syphilis is asymptomatic and not as contagious as early latent syphilis.


===  Tertiary ===
===  Tertiary ===
Model of the head of a patient with tertiary syphilis.Tertiary syphilis may occur approximately 3 to 15 years after the initial infection and may be divided into three different forms: late neurosyphilis (6.5%), cardiovascular syphilis (10%) and gummatous syphilis (15%). Without treatment, a third of people develop tertiary disease. People with tertiary syphilis are not infectious.
Model of the head of a patient with tertiary syphilis.Tertiary syphilis may occur approximately 3 to 15 years after the initial infection and may be divided into three different forms: late neurosyphilis (6.5%), cardiovascular syphilis (10%) and gummatous syphilis (15%). Without treatment, a third of people develop tertiary disease. People with tertiary syphilis are not infectious.


;Gummatous
;Gummatous
Gummatous syphilis or late benign syphilis usually occurs 1-46 years after the initial infection, with an average of 15 years. This stage is characterized by the formation of chronic gummas, which are soft, tumor-like balls of inflammation which may vary considerably in size. They typically affect the skin, bone, and liver, but can occur anywhere.
Gummatous syphilis (or late benign syphilis) usually occurs 1-46 years after the initial infection, with an average of 15 years. This stage is characterized by the formation of chronic gummas, which are soft, tumor-like balls of inflammation which may vary considerably in size. They typically affect the skin, bone, and liver, but can occur anywhere.


;Late neurosyphilis
;Late neurosyphilis
Line 34: Line 32:


===  Congenital ===
===  Congenital ===
Congenital syphilis may occur during pregnancy or during the birth process.[6] Most infants (2/3) are born without symptoms.[6] Common symptoms that then develop over the first couple years of life include: hepatosplenomegaly (70%), rash (70%), fever (40%), neurosyphylis (20%), and pneumonitis (20%).[6] If untreated, late congenital syphilis may occur in 40% including: saddle nose deformation, Higoumenakis sign, saber shin, or Clutton's joints, among others.
Congenital syphilis may occur during pregnancy or during the birth process.[6] Most infants (2/3) are born without symptoms.[6] Common symptoms that then develop over the first couple years of life include: hepatosplenomegaly (70%), rash (70%), fever (40%), neurosyphylis (20%), and pneumonitis (20%).[6] If untreated, late congenital syphilis may occur in 40% including: saddle nose deformation, Higoumenakis sign, saber shin, or Clutton's joints, among others.
{{wr}}
{{wr}}
{{cat2|STD|Health}}
{{cat2|STD|Health}}
{{Footer}}
{{Footer}}

Revision as of 08:06, 15 January 2020

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission of syphilis is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis.

The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending on which of the four stages it presents in (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). The primary stage typically presents with a single chancre; secondary syphilis with a diffuse rash; latent with little to no symptoms; and tertiary with gummas, neurological, or cardiac symptoms. Diagnosis is usually via blood tests. It can be effectively treated with antibiotics, specifically intramuscular penicillin G.

Syphilis is believed to have infected 12 million people worldwide in 1999 with greater than 90% of cases in the developing world. Rates of infection have increased during the 2000s in many countries.


Signs and symptoms

Syphilis can present in one of four different stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. It may also occur congenitally. It has been referred to as "great imitator of skin diseases" due to its varied presentations.

Primary

Primary chancre of syphilis on the hand.Primary syphilis is typically acquired via direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person. Approximately 3-90 days after the initial exposure (average 21 days) a skin lesion appears at the point of contact called a chancre. This is classically (40% of the time) a single firm, painless, non itchy skin ulceration with a clean base and sharp borders between 0.3 and 3 cm in size. Occasionally multiple lesions may be present. Lesions outside of the genitals may be painful. Lymph node enlargement frequently (80%) occurs around the area of infection. The lesion may persist for 3 to 6 weeks without treatment.

Secondary

Secondary syphilis occurs approximately 4 to 10 weeks after the primary infection. There are many different manifestations of secondary disease. There may be a symmetrical reddish-pink non-itchy rash on the trunk and extremities including the palms and soles.] The rash may become maculopapular or pustular. On mucous membranes it may form flat, broad, whitish, wart-like lesions known as condyloma latum. All of these lesions are infectious, harboring bacteria. Other symptoms may include fever, sore throat, malaise, weight loss, hair loss, and headache. Rare manifestations include hepatitis, kidney disease, arthritis, periostitis, optic neuritis, uveitis, and interstitial keratitis. The acute symptoms usually resolve after 3 to 6 weeks.

Latent

Latent syphilis is defined as having serologic proof of infection without signs or symptoms of disease. It is further described as either early (less than 1 year after secondary syphilis) or late (more than 1 year after secondary syphilis). Early latent syphilis may have relapses of symptoms. Late latent syphilis is asymptomatic and not as contagious as early latent syphilis.

Tertiary

Model of the head of a patient with tertiary syphilis.Tertiary syphilis may occur approximately 3 to 15 years after the initial infection and may be divided into three different forms: late neurosyphilis (6.5%), cardiovascular syphilis (10%) and gummatous syphilis (15%). Without treatment, a third of people develop tertiary disease. People with tertiary syphilis are not infectious.

Gummatous

Gummatous syphilis (or late benign syphilis) usually occurs 1-46 years after the initial infection, with an average of 15 years. This stage is characterized by the formation of chronic gummas, which are soft, tumor-like balls of inflammation which may vary considerably in size. They typically affect the skin, bone, and liver, but can occur anywhere.

Late neurosyphilis

Neurosyphilis refers to an infection involving the central nervous system. It may occur early, being either asymptomatic or in the form of syphilitic meningitis, or late as meningovascular syphilis, general paresis or tabes dorsalis. Late neurosyphilis typically occurs 4 to 25 years after the initial infection.[1] Meningovascular syphilis typically presents with apthy and seizure, general paresis with dementia and tabes dorsalis is associated with poor balance and lightening pains in the lower extremities.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular syphilis usually occurs 10-30 years after the initial infection. The most common complications is syphilitic aortitis which may result in aneurysm formation.

Congenital

Congenital syphilis may occur during pregnancy or during the birth process.[6] Most infants (2/3) are born without symptoms.[6] Common symptoms that then develop over the first couple years of life include: hepatosplenomegaly (70%), rash (70%), fever (40%), neurosyphylis (20%), and pneumonitis (20%).[6] If untreated, late congenital syphilis may occur in 40% including: saddle nose deformation, Higoumenakis sign, saber shin, or Clutton's joints, among others.

More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Syphilis ]

Template:Cat2

Chain-09.png
Jump to: Main PageMicropediaMacropediaIconsTime LineHistoryLife LessonsLinksHelp
Chat roomsWhat links hereCopyright infoContact informationCategory:Root