What is syphilis?
Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Treponema pallidum. The number of Syphilis cases in Wisconsin have been decreasing, yet syphilis prevention remains an important objective because of the serious consequences of untreated or inadequately treated syphilis and its role as a potential risk factor for HIV infection and transmission. Wisconsin is currently involved in the National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis.
Who gets syphilis?
Anyone who is sexually active can get syphilis, but those at greater risk include:
• Persons diagnosed with any STD
• Persons with a sex partner diagnosed with any STD
• Persons with more than one sex partner
• Persons …show more content…
That contact can be genital intercourse, oral intercourse, or anal intercourse. The bacteria pass through intact mucous membranes and abraded skin; they are then carried by the blood stream to every organ in the body. Babies can also get syphilis from their mothers if the mothers are infected during pregnancy.
What are the signs and symptoms of syphilis?
The course of syphilis is divided into three stages, each with different signs and symptoms.
•
•
•
Primary syphilis is the most infectious stage of the disease. The first sign is the chancre, or lesion. It is usually a single, painless ulcer and develops at the original site of infection (skin or mucous membranes) about 3 weeks after inoculation. It is highly infectious and goes away without treatment in 1 to 5 weeks (3 weeks average).
Secondary syphilis symptoms vary greatly in appearance and may or may not be noticeable. Secondary symptoms may last 2 to 6 weeks (4 weeks average) and may recur. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:
• General body rash
• Rash on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
• White (mucous) patches in …show more content…
Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid the serious complications and spread of this disease. If you test positive, all of your sex partner(s) of up to the past 12 months should be notified, tested and treated for syphilis, even if they have no symptoms. Public health professionals at your local health department can help you with this task. If your sex partners have the infection and they are not treated, you could get the infection again if you have sex again with the same
Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Treponema pallidum. The number of Syphilis cases in Wisconsin have been decreasing, yet syphilis prevention remains an important objective because of the serious consequences of untreated or inadequately treated syphilis and its role as a potential risk factor for HIV infection and transmission. Wisconsin is currently involved in the National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis.
Who gets syphilis?
Anyone who is sexually active can get syphilis, but those at greater risk include:
• Persons diagnosed with any STD
• Persons with a sex partner diagnosed with any STD
• Persons with more than one sex partner
• Persons …show more content…
That contact can be genital intercourse, oral intercourse, or anal intercourse. The bacteria pass through intact mucous membranes and abraded skin; they are then carried by the blood stream to every organ in the body. Babies can also get syphilis from their mothers if the mothers are infected during pregnancy.
What are the signs and symptoms of syphilis?
The course of syphilis is divided into three stages, each with different signs and symptoms.
•
•
•
Primary syphilis is the most infectious stage of the disease. The first sign is the chancre, or lesion. It is usually a single, painless ulcer and develops at the original site of infection (skin or mucous membranes) about 3 weeks after inoculation. It is highly infectious and goes away without treatment in 1 to 5 weeks (3 weeks average).
Secondary syphilis symptoms vary greatly in appearance and may or may not be noticeable. Secondary symptoms may last 2 to 6 weeks (4 weeks average) and may recur. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:
• General body rash
• Rash on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
• White (mucous) patches in …show more content…
Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid the serious complications and spread of this disease. If you test positive, all of your sex partner(s) of up to the past 12 months should be notified, tested and treated for syphilis, even if they have no symptoms. Public health professionals at your local health department can help you with this task. If your sex partners have the infection and they are not treated, you could get the infection again if you have sex again with the same