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Treponema pallidum (a spirochete bacterium) is the causing pathogen for the sexually transmitted infection known as "Syphilis"

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Treponema pallidum (Syphilis): Video & Anatomy | Osmosis

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Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) Videos, Flashcards, High Yield Notes, & Practice Questions. Learn and reinforce your understanding of Treponema pallidum (Syphilis).

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The color-enhanced light microscopic image depicts Treponema pallidum, a spiral shaped bacterium responsible for causing Syphilis. This image has been digitally colorized and enhanced via HDRI techniques with a magnification of 2000x.

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Syphilis is primarily spread through direct contact.

1. Direct transmission includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex which leads to physical sores.

2. Indirect transmission involves contaminated objects but is RARE for syphilis.

3. Vector transmission (spread by insects or animals) does NOT apply to syphilis, as it is not carried by vectors like mosquitoes or ticks.

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This infographic shows the different ways that diseases can be transmitted to people.

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Syphilis development can be broken down into stages:

1. Primary (painless sore),

2. Secondary (rash and flu-like symptoms),

3. Latent (early and late phases with no symptoms), and

4. Tertiary (serious complications affecting the brain, heart, and other organs).

Each stage can vary in duration and severity.

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What are the three stages of Syphilis? - Better2Know Blog

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Syphilis is an STI which can lead to life-threatening consequences if left untreated. Syphilis progresses in three prominent stages.

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Here is a more common and simplified example:

1. A painless sore appears on the genitals or mouth.

2. A widespread body rash develops, including palms and soles of feet.

3. An infection becomes severe, and damages internal organs if left untreated.

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Chandigarh Ayurved & Panchakarma Centre | Ayurvedic Treatment | Herbal Treatment | Panchakarma Treatment

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SYPHILIS | Chandigarh Ayurved & Panchakarma Centre

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INTRODUCTION · SYPHILIS is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. · Syphilis is transmitted during oral , vaginal and anal sex · Syphilis can spared during pregnancy may lead to stillbirth , newborn death. Syphilis Stages There are 4 stages of syphilis 1. Primary syphilis : This stage typically begins with

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Syphilis can progress over weeks to years.

1. The primary stage typically begins 3 weeks after exposure with a painless sore.

2. Secondary symptoms like rash and fever follow within 4–10 weeks.

3. The latent stage can last for months or years with no visible symptoms.

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This JAMA Patient Page describes syphilis, its signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

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👩‍⚕️Treating Infection with Penicillin G👨‍⚕️

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👩‍⚕️Treating Infection with Penicillin G👨‍⚕️

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Penicillin G is the recommended antibiotic for all stages of syphilis.

For early syphilis (primary, secondary, or early latent), a single intramuscular dose of Benzathine penicillin G (2.4 million units) is typically administered.

For late latent or tertiary syphilis, the infection may be more deeply established in tissues, so the treatment requires three weekly doses of 2.4 million units each (totaling 7.2 million units).

-This higher dosage over time can help to ensure that the bacteria is completely eliminated from harder-to-reach areas of the body.

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Different stages of syphilis require different treatments because as the infection progresses, it becomes more difficult to eliminate. Treatment is tailored to ensure that all bacteria are eradicated and long-term complications are prevented.

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This chapter will summarize various syphilis treatment options.

Treatment is needed to get rid of syphilis. Untreated syphilis can lead to serious health consequences: permanent damage to the brain, eyes, nerves, heart, joints, and other organs.

The treatment for syphilis (the choice of medication and, especially, the duration of treatment) depends on its stage: early or late. The earlier it is treated, the easier it is to treat and the better the outcome.

Since syphilis screening is dramatically improved these days, most syphilis is diagnosed in the early stage or late latent stage. The focus of this chapter will be on the most commonly treated syphilis cases.

Early syphilis treatment, with all its subcategories-primary, secondary and early latent-will be discussed here. Early syphilis means the patient has had syphilis for not more than one year.

Only one category of late syphilis-late latent syphilis-will be discussed here.

This chapter will present tables with concise information on these topics:

Primary syphilis

Secondary syphilis

Early latent syphilis

Late latent syphilis

The tables will be followed by frequently asked questions, where an expert doctor will answer real-life patient questions and, in the process, elaborate on some important syphilis treatment issues.

Let's start.

Primary syphilis is the first stage of syphilis. It presents with a chancre (sore) at the entry site and localized lymph node enlargement.

Twenty-five percent of people will develop secondary syphilis: syphilis spreads from the primary site, causing rash, patchy hair loss, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), and other symptoms

Treatment regimen for early latent syphilis

A patient has latent syphilis when they have a positive blood test but no signs or symptoms of the disease.

Early latent syphilis means the person has had syphilis for less than a year-within the last year, they've had a negative syphilis test. The patient is considered infectious at this stage.

Treatment regimen for late latent syphilis

A patient has latent syphilis when they have a positive blood test but no signs or symptoms of the disease.

Late latent syphilis means the person has had syphilis longer than a year. This is based on the last negative syphilis test. If the timing of an infection is not known, late latent syphilis is presumed. Syphilis transmission is unlikely at this stage.

Treatment algorithm for syphilis-positive adults

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, our expert doctor will talk about a few aspects of syphilis treatment in more depth. We have reviewed real-life patient questions and grouped them into topics so the doctor can answer them efficiently.

Dr. Fuzayloff has been a practicing physician at a busy STD center in Midtown Manhattan, NYC, for over two decades.

Select other section

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Treatment strategies and its methodology for the earliest and latest latent condition commonly known as Syphilis..

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Untreated syphilis can cause severe long-term health issues, including life-threatening cardiovascular problems, neurological issues (such as dementia or paralysis), and even organ failure. In some cases, tertiary syphilis can be fatal.

Early detection and treatment are key to preventing these complications. Practicing safe sex and regular testing are vital to reducing syphilis transmission.

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Syphilis prevention starts with practicing safe sex—using condoms during sexual activity. Regular STI testing is essential, especially for individuals with multiple partners or those who are pregnant. Avoid sharing needles and maintain open communication with partners about sexual health.

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Design free Sexually Transmitted Infections posters. Use the best editable templates to create flyers and banners about sexual health.

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If a pregnant woman develops Syphilis and is not treated, the sexually transmitted infection can be passed onto the baby. This is called Congenital Syphilis which causes severe health problems such as severe anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, and even stillbirth.

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Congenital Syphilis Create Complications 

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Congenital Syphilis Create Complications 

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Treponema pallidum is one of the major “Other” pathogens in the TORCH [Toxoplasma gondii, Other, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus] group of congenital infections.

Syphilis can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, potentially resulting in stillbirth, prematurity, or severe neonatal complications. Major complications can include bone deformities, neurological impairment, or organ damage.

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Congenital TORCH infections - Knowledge @ AMBOSS

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Congenital infections are caused by pathogens transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy (transplacentally) or delivery (peripartum). They can have a substantial negative impact on fetal and…

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Between 2019 and 2023, syphilis cases have risen from 129,827 to 209,253.

To reduce the number of cases, preventative measures such as consistent condom use, regular STI testing, especially for high-risk individuals, and early treatment are essential.

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The table below is from Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2023.

2019-2023

State/Territory

Rates per 100,000 Population

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

US TOTAL 129,827 133,960 176,739 207,269 209,253 39.6 40.4 53.3 62.2 62.5

TERRITORIES TOTAL 1,027 892 1,198 1,480 1,668 28.8 24.4 32.9 41.2 46.6

TOTAL 130,854 134,852 177,937 208,749 210,921 39.4 40.2 53.0 62.0 62.3

* Includes cases of congenital syphilis

NR = No report.

NOTE: See Technical Notes for more information on syphilis case reporting and on interpreting case counts and rates in US territories. This report includes data from years that coincide with the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced uncertainty and difficulty in interpreting case data. See Impact of COVID-19 on STIs for more information. Due to a network security incident in December 2021, the Maryland Department of Health could not finalize their 2021 STI case notification data. Although 2021 data from Maryland are included in national and regional case counts and rates displayed in this table, state-specific data have been suppressed. Tennessee transitioned STI surveillance information systems in September of 2023 which may have impacted the overall case counts. Caution should be applied in interpretation of these data.

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Table 3. Total Syphilis* — Reported Cases and Rates of Reported Cases by State/Territory and Region in Alphabetical Order, United States

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Total Syphilis — Reported Cases and Rates of Reported Cases by State/Territory and Region in Alpha

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The CDC’s Syphilis Prenatal Screening (Protect Your Baby) campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of syphilis screening during pregnancy. Early detection and treatment of syphilis can prevent serious health issues for both the mother and baby, including congenital syphilis, which can lead to severe complications or even death for the newborn. The campaign emphasizes that prenatal syphilis testing is essential for protecting the health of both mother and child.

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Syphilis Prenatal Screening (Protect Your Baby)

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Brochure promoting testing during pregnancy for those at higher risk for syphilis infection

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In conclusion, syphilis remains a significant public health concern, with its prevalence and impact continuing to rise in recent years. Understanding the stages of syphilis, from primary to tertiary, as well as how it is transmitted, can help in the prevention of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment with penicillin are crucial in preventing long-term complications such as cardiovascular and neurological issues. Preventative measures, including safe sex practices, regular STI testing, and clear communication with partners, are essential to reducing the spread of infection. By continuing to raise awareness, increase access to testing, and promote education about prevention, the community can work towards reducing the annual reported cases of syphilis and protecting public health.

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