Syphilis, Spirochete, Treponema Pallidum, Pathogen, Mucous Membranes, Lymph nodes, Chancre, Throat, Penis, Vagina

Scholarships Dictionary Visa Details Study Abroad Exam Results Online Test Jobs

	Home
Microbial Diseases and Their Control Microbial Diseases and Their Control - Introduction Worldwide Deaths Due to Infectious Diseases Caused by Microorganisms Commonly used Terms in Infectious Diseases List of Epidemic Viral Diseases of Man List of Epidemic Bacterial Diseases of Man List of Epidemic Protozoan Diseases of Man List of Fungal Diseases of Man List of Protozoan Diseases other than Epidemics of Man Emergence and Reemergence of Infectious Diseases

Home >> Microbiology >> MIcrobial Diseases and Their Control >> Syphilis

Your Ad Here

Syphilis
Syphilis (Gr. syn = together; philein = to love) is a contagious sexually transmitted disease caused by a spirochete, namely, Treponema pallidum which is about 10-5 m in length and about 0.15m in diameter.

The pathogen enters the body through mucous membranes or minor breaks or abrasions of the skin. Once in the body, it migrates to the regional lymph nodes and rapidly spreads throughout the body. Syphilis occurs in three distinct stages. In primary stage, the pathogen multiples developing a characteristic lesion called chancre formed within 3-6 weeks. The secondary stage begins 6 to 8 weeks after appearance of the lesion. During this stage these is appearance of cutaneous lesions involving mucus membrane such as on lips, tongue, throat, penis, angina and other body surfaces. In addition, patient suffers from headache, low-grade fever, and enlargement of lymph nodes.

The tertiary stage occurs several years after the primary stage. Although, this stage is asymptomatic but can cause damage of any organ of the body especially damage to aorta resulting into death of patient or paralysis or may cause change in personality. The syphilis infected pregnant woman gives birth to still bady who is mentally retarded and neurologically impaired.

Pencillin is highly effective in syphilis treatment and the primary and secondary stages can be controlled by a single injection of benzathine penicillin G. In tertiary stage of syphilis, penicillin treatment must extend for longer period of time. Besides, public education and sexual hygiene are quite necessary.

	Home
Emerging New Diseases Reemerging Diseases Factors Responsible for Emergence and Reemergence of Infectious Diseases List of Important Viral Diseases Aids Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome The Effect of HIV Infection Diagnosis for Aids Treatment for Aids Drugs Approved for AIDS / HIV Treatment Important Bacterial Diseases Diphtheria Whooping Cough Pertussis Tetanus Tuberculosis Plague Cholera Typhoid Fever Gonorrhoea Syphilis Botulism Staphylococcal Poisonning Dental Plaque Dental Caries Decay of Teeth Biofilms Bioterrorism