Syphilis
Untreated, the syphilis (SIFF-i-lis) organism—a spirochete—can remain in the body for life and lead to disfigurement, neurological disorders, or death. The number of reported cases of syphilis in the United States has dropped below 120,000. This may be because of effective antibiotics and increased condom use among American men.
Common Symptoms: Syphilis has several phases that may overlap one another. They do not always follow in the same sequence. Symptoms vary with each phase, but most of the time there are no symptoms.
• Primary phase. Painless sores or ulcers—chancres—often appear from three weeks to 90 days after infection. They last three to six weeks. They appear on the genitals, in the vagina, on the cervix, lips, mouth, or anus. Swollen glands may also occur during the primary phase.
• Secondary phase. Other symptoms often appear from three to six weeks after the sores appear. They may come and go for up to two years. They include body rashes that last from two to six weeks—often on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The rashes are so often confused with other diseases, including measles and drug rashes, that syphilis was once called “the great imitator.” There are many other symptoms, including mild fever, fatigue, sore throat, patchy hair loss, weight loss, swollen glands, headache, and muscle pains.
• Latent phase. No symptoms. Latent phases occur between other phases or can overlap them.
• Late phase. One-third of people with untreated syphilis experience serious damage of the nervous system, heart, brain, or other organs, and death may result.
How Syphilis Is Spread
• vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse
• kissing
• during pregnancy
Syphilis is especially contagious when sores are present early in the disease—the liquid that oozes from them is very infectious. People are usually not contagious during the latent phases of the first four years of syphilis infections. Untreated syphilis remains latent for many years or a lifetime, but can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
The effect of syphilis on a fetus is very serious. If untreated, the risks of stillbirth or serious birth defects are high. Birth defects include damage to the heart, brain, and skeleton as well as blindness. It is very important for pregnant women to consider testing for syphilis early and, sometimes, throughout their pregnancies. Pregnant women with syphilis should be treated to prevent damage to the fetus.
Diagnosis
• microscopic examination of fluid from sores
• blood tests
Treatment: Antibiotics are successful for both partners—but damage caused by the disease in the later phases cannot be undone.
Protection: Condoms offer very good protection during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis (trick-oh-mo-NEYE-ah-sis), or “trich,” is a protozoan— a microscopic one-celled organism. It is a common cause of vaginitis. Up to 3 million Americans develop trichomoniasis every year.
Common Symptoms
• frothy, often unpleasant-smelling discharge
• itching in and around the vagina
• blood spotting in the discharge
• swelling in the groin
• urinating more often than usual
Only rarely do men have symptoms. Sometimes women have no symptoms. It takes from three to 28 days for symptoms to develop.
How Trichomoniasis Is Spread: Vaginal intercourse.
Diagnosis: Microscopic examination of vaginal discharge.
Treatment: Antibiotics are successful for both partners.
Protection: Condoms offer very good protection.
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