It belongs to the group of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can be curable, caused by a bacterium called Treponema Pallidum, a highly mobile flagellated spirochete. This disease, in addition to being transmitted through sexual intercourse, can also be transmitted during pregnancy, from mother to fetus, producing congenital syphilis. Also, although not common syphilis can also be transmitted through transfusion blood.
Congenital syphilis can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, prematurity, nasal chondritis, neurological abnormalities, deafness and dental malformations in the baby.
This infection occurs when the bacteria penetrate the skin or mucous membranes that produce solutions with continuity, which are generally located on the genitals.
That is why the infection occurs during vaginal, anal or oral sex, so it can manifest in the genital area, the anus, the mouth, the lips, among other areas and can affect both men and women, without distinction any.
Once the bacteria are inside the body, between 9 and 90 days after infection, a lesion called a chancre appears at the site where the bacteria entered (penis, vagina, cervix, rectum, mouth, perianal region). After about five weeks the chancre may disappear, although the bacteria remain in the body.
Between four and eight weeks later, what is known as secondary syphilis appears, which produces fever and generalized rash, which can disappear up to two years, where after these, tertiary syphilis occurs, manifesting with neurological and cardiovascular signs and symptoms. and comatose.
Because syphilis causes genital ulcers, which bleed easily, it carries an increased risk of transmission and acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, since it can spread to the mouth or anus.
The population with the highest risk of contracting this infection corresponds to those between the ages of 15 and 30, because it is the period where the greatest sexual activity is had and where the activity tends to be with the greatest number of people. Generally after 30, people get married and tend to have sexual activity with the same person or with a limited number.
In addition, studies and figures have revealed that the disease has been increasing in recent cases in homosexual men.
