Anatomy/Physiology

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that generally occurs in men and women in the 20 - 24 years of age range (Syphilis : Symptoms and Treatment . There are three stages of syphilis : primary , secondary , and latent (Syphilis : Symptoms and Treatment . There is another stage , which affects children at birth called congenital syphilis that is transmitted when a mother has secondary or tertiary stages of syphilis

In the United States , health officials have reported over 32 ,000 cases of syphilis - including 6 ,862 cases of primary and secondary syphilis (Centers for Disease Control 2004 . The

occurrence of infectious syphilis was highest in women 20 - 24 years of age and in men 35 - 39 years of age . However , the reported cases of congenital syphilis decreased in newborns compared to earlier years (Centers for Disease Control 2004 . In recent years , the number of reported primary and secondary cases increased 12 .4 percent . Rates among women began to decrease , and the rate in men are 3 .5 percent greater then that in women (Centers for Disease Control 2002 . The reports on syphilis in men who have sex with men , propose that the rates of syphilis in this category are increasing (Centers for Disease Control 2004

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC , syphilis is transmitted from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore , and sores occur on the external genitals , vagina , anus , or in the rectum (Centers for Disease Control 2004 . Syphilis sores can occur on the lips and in the mouth . Transmission of the bacterium Treponema pallidum occurs during vaginal , oral , or anal sex . Pregant women with primary or secondary stages of syphilis can transmit the disease to the newborn . It is important to know that syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats , doorknobs , shared clothing , or eating utensils (Centers for Disease Control 2004

Primary syphilis is characterized by a single sore called a chancre (Cabral 2003 . The time between infection with syphilis and the signs of symptoms range from 10 - 90 days , but have an average of 21 days (Centers for Disease Control 2004 . Syphilis has an incubation period from one week to three months (Holmes 1999 . The chancre is usually firm , round and small , and painless and usually appears where syphilis has been transmitted . The chancre is located on enternal genitalia anus , rectum , or mouth (Syphilis : Symptoms and Treatment . Swollen lymph nodes are typically seen in the groin , arm pits , or neck within one week of the sore appearing . The sore can last from three to six weeks and will heal without treatment (Centers for Disease Control 2004 . However if the syphilis continues and is not treated , the infection will progress to the secondary stage

The secondary stage of syphilis is characterized by skin rash and mucous membrane lesions . A rash develops on one or more areas of the body and may not cause itching (Centers for Disease Control 2004 Rashes that are associated with secondary syphilis can appear while the chancre is healing or several...