Syphilis Symptoms And What To Know
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Syphilis: what you need to know
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can have serious consequences if left untreated. In this article, Deep Medical Therapeutics will go over the basics of syphilis, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. We’ll also discuss why it’s important to get a test for syphilis and how you can protect yourself from this infection.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The infection is spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby.
Symptoms of syphilis
The symptoms of syphilis can vary depending on the stage of the infection:
The latent stage of syphilis is when the infection is still present but there are no visible symptoms. This stage can last for several years.
The primary stage usually begins with a sore or ulcer at the site of infection. This sore is usually painless and can be found on the genitals, anus, or mouth. The sore can last for several weeks and will eventually heal on its own.
The secondary stage of syphilis is marked by a rash that can appear on any part of the body. Other symptoms can include fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms can last for several weeks or months.
The tertiary stage of syphilis is the most serious stage and can lead to severe health problems. This stage can cause damage to the brain, heart, and other organs. It can also cause blindness and deafness
Why you should get tested for syphilis
Syphilis can have serious consequences if left untreated. It can lead to blindness, deafness, and damage to the brain, heart, and other organs. It can also increase your risk of HIV infection. Getting tested for syphilis is important, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Many people with syphilis don’t have any symptoms, which is why it’s often called a “silent” infection. Deep Medical Therapeutics, a medical technology company, offers syphilis tests for as little as R250 and a range of other STI tests which can be done at home or at one of their clinics
Diagnosis and treatment of syphilis
Syphilis can have serious consequences for pregnant women and their unborn babies. If a pregnant woman has syphilis, there is a high risk of the infection being passed to the baby during pregnancy or delivery. This can lead to stillbirth, premature birth, or a baby born with congenital syphilis. Congenital syphilis can cause serious health problems for the baby, including blindness, deafness, and damage to the brain, liver, and other organs. It’s important for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis early in pregnancy and again later in pregnancy if they are at high risk for the infection. If syphilis is detected, it can be treated with antibiotics to prevent transmission to the baby
Syphilis and pregnancy
Syphilis can have serious consequences for pregnant women and their unborn babies. If a pregnant woman has syphilis, there is a high risk of the infection being passed to the baby during pregnancy or delivery. This can lead to stillbirth, premature birth, or a baby born with congenital syphilis. Congenital syphilis can cause serious health problems for the baby, including blindness, deafness, and damage to the brain, liver, and other organs. It’s important for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis early in pregnancy and again later in pregnancy if they are at high risk for the infection. If syphilis is detected, it can be treated with antibiotics to prevent transmission to the baby
How to protect yourself from syphilis
The best way to protect yourself from syphilis is to practice safe sex. This means using condoms every time you have sex and getting tested for STIs regularly. If you are in a relationship with someone who has syphilis, it’s important to get tested and treated for the infection. It’s also important to avoid sharing needles or other equipment if you use drugs.
Conclusion
Syphilis is a serious infection that can have serious consequences if left untreated. It’s important to get tested for syphilis, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Practising safe sex and getting tested regularly are the best ways to protect yourself from this infection. If you would like to screen for syphilis, visit Deep Medical Therapeutics to order an at-home test or at-clinic syphilis test. Remember, early detection and treatment can prevent serious health problems in the future.