CHAPTER:1
SYPHILLIS
BY
Mrs. K.SHAILAJA., M. PHARM.,
LECTURER
DEPT OF PHARMACY PRACTICE,
SRM COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
DEFINITION: Syphillis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (type of bacteria called Spirochete)
Often called as ”the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION:
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Spirochetes that cause syphilis passes from one person to another through direct with a syphilis more during sexual intercourse(vaginal,anal or oral sex).
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It can also passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy.
TYPES:
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Primary syphilis
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Secondary syphilis
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Late and Latent syphilis
INCUBATION PERIOD:
1 week to 3 months
CLINICAL FEATURES:
PRIMARY SYPHILIS:
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It is marked by and the appearance of a single core(called chancre), but there may be multiple core.
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The time between the infection start of first symptom range from 10 to 90 days.
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The chance is usually firm, round, small and painless. Lasts for 3‐6weeks and heals without treatment.
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Inadequate treatment progresses the infection to 2 stages.
SECONDARY SYPHILIS:
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Skin rash and mucous membrane lesions characterize the secondary stage.
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This stage typically starts with the development of a rash on one or more areas of the body. It does not cause itching.
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Rashes appear as the chancre has healed after weeks.
It may be rough, red, or reddish brown spots on the palms of the hands and buttoms of the feet.
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Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue.
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The symptoms resolve with or without treatment and inadequate treatment progresses to latent and possibly late stages of disease.
LATE AND LATEST SYPHILIS
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This stage begins when primary and secondary disappear.
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Without treatment infections remains in the body with no signs and symptoms.
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It lasts for years.
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Develops in about 15% of people who have not been treated and can appear 10‐20years after infection was first acquired.
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The late stages subsequently damages the internal organs, including brain, returns, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, joints.
¾ Signs and symptoms include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, dementia and may be serious enough to cause death.
DIAGNOSIS: → Diagnosed by examining material from a chancre using a special microscope called a dark‐field microscope.
→ Blood test: After infection, body produces Ab that can be detected by an accurate, safe and inexpensive blood test.
PREVENTION:
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Is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long term mutually monogamous relationship with a person tested and is known to be uninfected.
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Correct and consistent use of Latex condoms reduce the risk of syphilis.
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Providing health education about STD and its problems.
TREATMENT:
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Intramuscular infection of penicillin cures a person less than a year.
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Other antibiotics – tetracycline's, erythromycins.
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During treatment, person must abstain from sexual contact with new partners until syphilis sores are completely healed.