Syphilis Flashcards
1
Q
What causes syphilis?
A
Treponemia pallidum bacteria
2
Q
What is different about the bacteria that causes syphilis?
A
Treponemia pallidum is a spirochetes bacteria, it has a long generation time (takes 30 hours to double - compare with E. coli which takes 30 minutes)
3
Q
How is syphilis spread?
A
contact with lesions and secretions, it can also cross the placenta
4
Q
Does syphilis have an incubation period?
A
yes, 10-90 days
5
Q
Is syphilis a local infection?
A
no, it divides and distributes systemically
6
Q
What complications can syphilis cause?
A
- blindness
- paralysis
- heart disease
- death
7
Q
What occurs in the first stage of syphilis?
A
- painless chancre at exposure site that heals in 3-12 weeks
- regional lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
8
Q
What occurs during the second stage of syphilis?
A
- occurs 6-8 weeks after infection
- can last up to 6 months
- lesions are very characteristic: maculopapular rash on palms and soles, white patches on mucous membranes (ex. tongue), flat papules
- generalized lymphadenopathy
- fever, malaise
- can become latent before moving to next stage, during first couple of weeks the patient will still be infectious though
9
Q
What occurs during the third stage of syphilis?
A
- usually occurs 1-35 years after primary infection, but can be as many as 50 years later
- only occurs if initial infection is not treated
- irreversible damage to bone, joints, CNS, NS
10
Q
How is syphilis treated?
A
long-acting penicillin
