What is Syphilis?

Table of Contents☰

About Syphilis:

It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems if you do not treat it.
It is caused by the bacteria, Treponema pallidum.
After the infection happens, syphilis bacteria can stay in the body for many years without causing symptoms. But the infection can become active again.
Transmission:
- People usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it.
- It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and sometimes through breastfeeding.
Symptoms:
- Syphilis develops in stages. The symptoms vary with each stage and is of ten painless.
- The disease starts as a sore that’s often painless and typically appears on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.
- Sometimes it causes swelling in nearby lymph nodes.
- If you do not treat it, syphilis usually causes a non-itchy skin rash, often on your hands and feet.
- Many people do not notice symptoms for years. Symptoms can go away and come back.
- If left untreated, it can cause serious health issues. It can permanently damage your heart, brain, muscles, bones, and eyes.
Treatment:
- Syphilis is treatable and curable. It is easy to cure with antibiotics, especially during in the early stages.
- Penicillin is the most commonly used medication for syphilis.

Q1: What is HIV/AIDS?

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV attacks the body’s immune system, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS. It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood, and from illicit injection drug use, or sharing needles. It can also be spread from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled.

Source: Higher syphilis cases detected in Mumbai with increased testing