| Disease |
SYPHILIS |
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| Quotation |
“Civilized men arrived in the pacific, armed with alcohol, syphilis, trousers, and the Bible” |
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| Definition |
A sexually transmitted disease caused by a spirochete Treponema pallidum and characterized by sequential stages.
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| Prognosis |
Excellent in all cases except in late stages because of irreversible vascular fibrosis and neurologic damage, and in those with HIV positivity, because genital ulceration promotes HIV infection, and HIV infection accelerates the course of syphilis. One-third of untreated patients will develop CNS and/or CVS sequelae.
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| Advice to Patient |
Help trace all sexual contacts, who would need treatment.
To avoid intercourse until therapy is completed.
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| Follow Up |
Repeat serology study monthly for three months, the 6th month and then yearly. Pregnancy requires monthly test until delivery.
HIV positive cases would need more frequent serology study.
Up to 80% of those treated during the late stages remain seropositive indefinitely.
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| Inadequate Response |
Consider attendant HIV infection.
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| Prevention |
Use of condoms.
Safe sex.
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| Reference From |
www.essentialdrugs.org/programs/procaare-hma/procaare.199902/msg00000.html |
