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What are the dangers of syphilis?

Dec 23, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, syphilis is a systemic chronic sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted through contact with infectious skin lesions or body fluids. Syphilis may cause damage to the skin and mucous membranes, cardiovascular system, nervous system, bones and joints, fertility, and other aspects. It is advisable to maintain good personal hygiene, shower regularly, and change clothes frequently.

Generally, syphilis is a systemic chronic sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted through contact with infectious skin lesions or body fluids. Syphilis may cause harm to the skin and mucous membranes, cardiovascular system, nervous system, bones and joints, and fertility. The specific effects are as follows:

1. Skin and Mucous Membranes

Treponema pallidum infection can cause various damages to the skin and mucous membranes. As the disease progresses, Treponema pallidum can cause syphilitic rash, a widespread and symmetrically distributed rash that may appear on any part of the body, including the palms and soles. The typical manifestations are erythema, papules, or erosion, sometimes accompanied by mild itching.

2. Cardiovascular System

Syphilis can cause serious damage to the cardiovascular system, especially during the secondary stage of the disease. Treponema pallidum can spread through the bloodstream to various organs throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system. Syphilis may cause syphilitic arteritis, leading to inflammation and fibrosis of the arterial walls, ultimately resulting in arterial narrowing or occlusion and impaired blood supply.

3. Nervous System

Syphilis may invade the nervous system and cause neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis can affect cerebral blood vessels, leading to changes in cerebral blood flow and causing cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, which may result in headaches. Additionally, neurosyphilis may involve pain-sensitive structures within the skull, leading to neurogenic headaches.

4. Bones and Joints

As syphilis progresses to its third stage, known as late syphilis, Treponema pallidum may infiltrate the bones and joints, causing bone destruction involving the skull, spine, pelvis, and long bones of the limbs. This may lead to severe consequences such as osteoporosis, bone proliferation, joint destruction, joint fusion, and limb deformities.

5. Fertility

Syphilis may affect the patient's fertility. In male patients, Treponema pallidum can invade multiple organs of the reproductive system, such as the testes and epididymis, leading to dysfunction of the reproductive organs and affecting sperm production and quality, thereby reducing male fertility. In female patients, syphilis may cause miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, or congenital syphilis.

Maintaining good personal hygiene is important in daily life. Take regular baths, change clothes frequently, and use clean, soft towels to wipe the body. Avoid using harsh cleansing products that may exacerbate damage to the skin and mucous membranes.

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What is syphilis?
The pathogen of syphilis is Treponema pallidum, which has a spiral structure, is motile, and is not easily stained. The mucopolysaccharidase on the surface of Treponema pallidum may be related to its pathogenicity. This enzyme has a high affinity for the skin, aorta, eyes, placenta, and other tissues, leading to localized necrosis, ulcers, and other lesions. Sexual contact is the primary mode of transmission for syphilis.
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What are the differences between syphilis rash and common rash?
Syphilis rash is caused by infection with Treponema pallidum and represents a cutaneous manifestation of the sexually transmitted disease; it is contagious. Common rashes are usually caused by factors such as allergies, viral infections, or bacterial infections—for example, contact with allergens or invasion by cold viruses—and are mostly non-contagious. Syphilis rash and common rashes generally differ in terms of etiology, affected body sites, associated symptoms, and other aspects.
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How long does syphilis rash last?
Syphilis rash usually disappears within approximately 2 to 12 weeks without treatment, and generally fades within about 2 to 4 weeks with appropriate treatment. Without treatment, the syphilis rash may fade slowly due to continuous replication of Treponema pallidum in the body and repeated immune responses stimulating the skin and mucous membranes. It often resolves within 6 to 12 weeks and may leave pigmentation or scarring after fading.
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Does syphilis rash hurt?
Syphilis rash typically does not present with significant pain. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, determine the cause, and undergo appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. The key to treating syphilis rash is to follow standardized and adequate antibiotic therapy targeting syphilis itself. Patients may use medications such as procaine penicillin for injection, benzathine penicillin for injection, or potassium furoylbenzylpenicillin for injection according to medical advice.
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Does syphilis rash cause itching when it starts to develop?
In general, syphilis rashes typically do not itch when they first appear, although mild itching may occur in some cases. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, determine the cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. If syphilis rash occurs, patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as benzathine penicillin for injection, potassium phenethicillin urea for injection, and minocycline hydrochloride capsules.
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Will syphilitic rash disappear on its own?
Whether syphilis rash resolves spontaneously mainly depends on the stage of syphilis infection and the individual's immune status. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, clarify the cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In the late stage of syphilis, the rash may present as refractory lesions that do not resolve spontaneously. To avoid unnecessary harm to the body, diagnosis and treatment should be conducted under the guidance of a qualified physician.
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Will a syphilis rash get larger?
In general, syphilitic rash does not typically enlarge progressively. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, determine the cause accurately, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. The key to treating syphilitic rash is to provide standardized and adequate antibiotic therapy targeting syphilis itself. Patients may follow their physician's instructions to use medications such as procaine penicillin for injection, benzathine penicillin for injection, or potassium furoate benzylpenicillin for injection.
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Is pityriasis rosea syphilis?
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