Page 179 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

Syphilis is generally transmitted through unsafe sexual intercourse. This commonly
occurs in young people as they have a high frequency of sexual activities. This disease
can be cured if treated in its early stage. But, most people hide this disease and do not go
for treatment. If not treated on time, this disease may damage various vital organs of the
body such as brain, liver, heart, etc. which may cause the death of the patient.

Modes of Transmission
i. Syphilis is transmitted through the unsafe sexual intercourse with the infected
partner.

ii. It is transmitted from pregnant mother to her unborn baby.
iii. It is also transmitted through contaminated blood transfusion.

Major Symptoms
Syphilis infection occurs in three distinct stages. They are as follows:

Early or Primary Symptoms
People with primary syphilis will develop one or
more sores. The sores are usually small painless
ulcers. They occur on the genitals or around the
mouth between 10-19 days of infection. Then the
sores spread to anus, lips, tongue, breast, fingers, etc.
Even without treatment the sores heal without a scar
within six weeks.

The secondary stage may last one to three months
and begins within six weeks to six months after
exposure. People with secondary syphilis experience
a rosy “copper penny” rash typically on the palms of Fig: 5 Sores of primary syphilis
the hands and soles of the feet. However, rashes with
a different appearance may occur on other parts of the body. They may also experience
moist warts in the groin, white patches on the inside of mouth, swollen lymph glands
fever and weight loss. Like primary syphilis, secondary will resolve without treatment.

Latent Syphilis
Latent syphilis is the infection that lies dormant (inactive) without causing symptoms.

Tertiary Syphilis
If the syphilis is not treated, it may then progress to a stage characterized by severe
problems with the heart, brain and nerves that can result in paralysis, blindness, dementia,
deafness, impotance and even death if it is not treated.

GREEN Health, Population and Environment Education Book-10 179