Sexual Health Flashcards
1
Q
What bacteria causes syphilis?
A
Treponema pallidum (spirochete)
2
Q
Can syphilis be vertically transmitted?
A
yes, during pregnancy
3
Q
What is primary syphilis?
A
chancre - painless ulcer at original site of infection
4
Q
What is secondary syphilis?
A
systemic sx - esp skin and mucous membranes
5
Q
What are the stages of syphilis?
A
- primary (3-8wks)
- secondary (3-12wks)
- latent (years)
- tertiary (organs)
- neurosyphilis
6
Q
What is Argyll-Robertson pupil?
A
a specific finding in neurosyphilis
7
Q
How is syphilis diagnosed/screened for?
A
antibody testing (for antibodies to T.pallidum
bacteria)
8
Q
Treatment for syphilis
A
single IM dose of benzathine benzylpenicillin
