The main form of transmission of syphilis is through unprotected intimate contact with an infected person, but it can also happen through contact with blood or mucosa of people infected by the bacterium Treponema pallidum , which is the microorganism responsible for the disease.
As syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the main form of prevention is through condom use, however contagion can also happen through contact with lesions that may be present outside the region that is protected by the condom and, therefore, it is important that as soon as the infection is detected, treatment is started, as it is also possible to prevent transmission to other people.
How the transmission happens
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection and, therefore, transmission can happen as follows:
- Through intimate contact without a condom with a person who has a skin wound, whether in the genital, anal or oral region, caused by the bacteria responsible for syphilis. Direct contact with the wound is responsible for most cases of syphilis; Through direct contact with blood of people infected with Treponema pallidum ; Sharing needles, in the case of the use of injectable drugs, for example, in which the bacteria present in the blood from one person can pass to another by reusing needles and syringes; from mother to child through the placenta at any stage of pregnancy or stage of maternal disease and also through normal delivery if the baby comes into contact with the wound of the syphilis.
Primary syphilis is characterized by a single, hard, painless skin wound, which, if it is not soon discovered and treated, can disappear spontaneously without leaving any scars in place. In men, the most affected site is the glans of the foreskin and around the urethra, and in women, the most affected sites are the labia minora, walls of the vagina and cervix.
The syphilis wound can be very small, measuring less than 1 cm and many times the person does not even know they have it, so it is important to go to the gynecologist or urologist at least once a year to check whether there are changes or not and perform tests that can identify possible diseases. Here's how to identify the first symptoms of syphilis.
How to protect yourself from syphilis
The best way to prevent syphilis is through the use of condoms in all intimate contact, as the condom forms a barrier that prevents skin-to-skin contact and prevents the transmission not only of bacteria, but also of fungi and viruses, preventing against other sexually transmitted diseases.
In addition, you should avoid coming into direct contact with anyone's blood and do not get pierced or get a tattoo in a place that does not have the necessary hygiene conditions, and it is not recommended to reuse disposable materials, such as needles, for example, because it can favor not only the transmission of syphilis, but also other diseases.
Watch the following video, and learn how to put the male condom correctly:
How the treatment is done
Treatment for syphilis should be instituted as soon as possible, to avoid worsening the disease and its consequences. Treatment should be done according to the doctor's guidance, and the use of Benzathine Penicillin is normally recommended, which is capable of eliminating the bacteria. It is important that the treatment is done according to the doctor's guidance, because when the treatment is done correctly and even when there are no symptoms, the chances of cure are very high. Learn how to cure syphilis.
If the disease is not treated immediately it can progress, resulting in complications and characterizing secondary syphilis, which happens when the causative agent of the disease is not limited only to the genital region, but has already reached the bloodstream and has started to multiply. This leads to the appearance of systemic signs and symptoms, such as the presence of sores on the palms of the hands and sores on the face, similar to acne, with skin peeling.
In tertiary syphilis, other organs are affected, in addition to skin lesions spread over large areas. The organs most easily affected are the bones, heart, central and peripheral nervous system.
