Syphilis

Question 1

What is syphilis

Answer 1

A disease with local and systemic manifestations caused by treponema pallidum

Question 2

How is syphilis transferred

Answer 2

Transferred by minor abrasions during sexual intercourse and becomes a systemic disease after infection OR Can also be transferred to a foetus (from the 9th week) with transmission risk decreasing with each subsequent pregnancy

Question 3

What is the primary stage of development

Answer 3

The chancre are hard, red, protruding and painless sores

Question 4

What is the secondary stage of development

Answer 4

Two weeks after the chancre heals and disease becomes systemic. Bacteria spreads to all major organ systems and serology and medical history confirm syphilis, but the individual has no clinical manifestations

Question 5

What is the tertiary stage of development

Answer 5

Develops 5-40 years following the initial infection. Skin, bone and soft tissue lesions become hypersensitive and aneurysms, CV lesions, heart failure neurosyphilis can develop

Question 6

Early diagnosis through:

Answer 6

Microscopic exam of a specimen (lymph, chancre, lesion)