Syphilis

Age-old Syphilis and its Modern Day Rampage

Introduction

People perish for lack of knowledge . So goes an age-old adage . What people should know about the causes , symptoms and treatment of Syphilis are widespread , and yet , the increase of those getting infected continue to rise . Recent data from the Center for Disease Control reveal that the number of new syphilis cases in year 2004 was 33 , 401 new syphilis cases per 100 ,000 population on that same year was 11 .5 (CDC . In spite of the fact that its origin can be traced

back to ancient times , its prevalence could still be felt today because of its contagious nature

What is this physical affliction that has become so common that its gruesome effect has been deadened by its sheer familiarity ? If all the facts dealing with this disease are true and taken seriously , probably the statistics will show a different picture . But since the record tells what is the reality regarding syphilis , this should create a massive awareness among people that will help curb the set pace of this illness In this , attempt has been made to discuss the cause /s , symptoms and the treatment of syphilis

Cause /s of Syphilis

Treponema Pallidum is the causative agent or bacterium that causes the infection called syphilis . It is supposed to be a sexually transmitted infection , but proven studies show it can also be transmitted from mother to infant in the course of pregnancy and can cause what has been called a congenital syphilis in a child . On rare cases , it is said that syphilis can be contracted through other means than from sexual partner or from mother to infant . Because the bacteria causing syphilis are fragile , one can 't be infected simply by using utensils or any other public implements shared by possibly infected person (Source : The Mayo Clinic . Transmission is through direct contact with an afflicted individual . Most common way of contracting this disease is through sexual intercourse with a person who is positively infected with syphilis . If one is already sick with the illness , the person can pass the bacteria from his /her affected skin - the genital area , anus , mouth - to the mucous membranes or skin of the sexual partner (Source : NIAID

Symptoms of the Illness

The difficulty with contracting Syphilis lies in ascertaining when the person has the disease . Its characteristic label is the great imitator ' indicating that the disease exhibits symptoms akin to many other illnesses (Source : The Mayo Clinic . What is worse is when a person is HIV infected this can create changes in the symptoms and course of the disease . Except for congenital syphilis , this disease takes place in four (4 ) stages that overlap on occasion . With primary syphilis , an open sore or chancre that is usually without pain appears on the skin and oftentimes is found in the genital portions . This happens within ten to ninety (10-90 ) days upon exposure . Because the symptoms seemed harmless , the affected person rarely knows he has it so...