Syphilis Flashcards
What is Syphilis?
A sexually transmitted disease
What agent causes Syphilis?
Treponema palladium (gram - spirochete)
What is a common nickname used for Syphilis?
“The great imitator”
What are the three stages of Syphilis?
- Primary
- Secondary
- Late/latent
How is Syphilis transmitted?
- Direct contact with a lesion
2. Pregnant woman to child
Where are the lesions most commonly located?
Vagina, penis, anus, rectum, mouth
Can you contract Syphilis by touching an inanimate object?
No
What symptoms occur in the primary stage of Syphilis?
A chancre - firm, round, painless lesion (single or multiple)
What is the incubation period for primary Syphilis?
10 - 90 days (21 median)
Since the chancre will typically heal without treatment within 3 to 6 weeks, does an infected individual still need to be treated for Syphilis?
YES, infection progresses if not treated
What is the classic symptom of Syphilis during the second stage?
Non-pruritic body rash (palms of hands and soles of feet)
What are some associated symptoms that accompany the rash during the second stage of Syphilis?
Fever, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, fatigue, lymphadenopathy
What % of people with Syphilis will progress to the late/latent stage?
15%
When will the late/latent stage occur?
10 to 20 years after initial infection
What complications occur with the late/latent stage?
- Internal organ damage to the brain, CNS, eyes, heart and vascular system, liver, bones, joints
- Dementia, paralysis, gradual blindness, coordination difficulty – can cause death
