Primary syphilis is an infection caused by bacteria and it is passed on other person through sexual intercourse. Syphilis is one of the sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. The bacteria gains entry into the genitals by means of broken skin in the area and is often acquired through sexual contact.
Adolescents are getting syphilis in great numbers and it is more particularly present through men-to-men sex. In some states it has become mandatory for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis to avoid the risk of passing it to the infant. Secondary and tertiary syphilis have become uncommon in USA due to public awareness and prenatal screening tests.
Causes :
Syphilis is transmitted through sex when a person has sexual activity with the infected person. However it can also spread through other ways.
Symptoms :
Firstly, small open sore called chancre (ulcer like growth) is found on the rectum or vaginal area which does not need any treatment. This chancre like ulcer appears from 3-6 weeks of exposure of the skin to infected person’s ulcer. For some people, the lymph nodes get enlarged in the area of infection.
In case the symptoms are not treated in this stage, then it would develop into chronic syphilis. In case of secondary infection, it may cause skin rash, fever, muscular pain, patches on the genitals and swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnoses :
Your doctor will examine the pelvis and would collect the fluid discharge for testing.
Read more on Oral Gonorrhea
Treatment :
Primary syphilis can be completely cured with antibiotics if detected at initial stage. Penicillin is given in the form of injection for treating the symptoms of syphilis. Antibiotics like doxycycline, benzathine and tertracycline is given for people who have allergy for penicillin. The patient will be put on medicines for long time depending on the severity of infection.