Syphilis in Women

Syphilis in women is a bacterial infection that is usually spread through direct contact with syphilis sores (ulcers) on the body of an infected person and carries the Treponema pallidum bacteria. Painless sores usually develop on the external genitals, in the vagina, in the anus, on the lips and on the tongue and can appear anytime from 10 days to 90 days later.

People with syphilis have a greater risk of becoming infected with HIV because of open sores. To treat syphilis sores, you must first check with a doctor. So that the doctor prescribes the best treatment.

Treatment is based on the severity of the disease. The sooner you get treatment, the better. However, if you delay treatment, it will be dangerous and cause side effects and complications.

Read also : Syphilis Can Be Cured ??

Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis in Women

Signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending on the stage of infection. Signs and symptoms of syphilis infection vary depending on how long you have been infected. One can find out more about the signs and symptoms of each stage in detail, but in a nutshell the signs and symptoms include:

Main stage

Painless, hard and small sores that last 3 weeks to 6 weeks in the first stage or primary stage. These usually appear in areas where bacteria entered the body and usually clear up without treatment. The primary stage (2 weeks to 3 weeks and 3 months after contact with germs) is ulcers in the genital area or mouth area that are usually painless and go away on their own after about 6 weeks.

Secondary stage

The appearance of a reddish brown rough rash on 1 or more body areas, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, hair loss, headache, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue. In the secondary stage (if the infection is not treated, usually 1 month after first contact) there will be a painless rash especially on the hands and feet, a general feeling of being unwell and tired, swollen glands, joint pain and wart bumps on the genitals.

Latent stage

If the secondary stage is not treated, the infection remains dormant in the body sometimes for years.

Final stage

In the late stages of syphilis, the disease may have damaged the body’s vital organs such as the heart, blood vessels, brain, nerves, eyes, liver, bones and joints. The tertiary stage (many years after the first infection) is a serious complication that affects the nervous system, heart, blood vessels and skin.

Treating Syphilis in Women

Since syphilis is caused by germs (bacteria), it is easily treated with antibiotic treatment. Intravenous antibiotic treatment is the usual treatment. Other treatments can kill germs (bacteria) and prevent the disease from developing further. Intravenous treatment is given intramuscularly (IM), usually into the buttocks.

A single dose can be given for primary and secondary syphilis. Later stages may require more at weekly intervals. Neurosyphilis usually requires more frequent daily doses for several weeks.

Other antibiotic treatments are sometimes used if you are allergic. If you have safe sex and always use condoms, your risk of getting syphilis (and other STIs) is greatly reduced. However, condoms do not provide complete protection, because syphilis sores can sometimes be in areas not covered by condoms.

If you have had syphilis and have been treated for it, you can still get re-infected if you have sex with someone who is infected. (The antibodies in the blood are not enough to protect against another infection if you get syphilis again).

If you suspect that you have syphilis or another STI, consult your doctor immediately. In order to get treatment early, so that syphilis can be treated immediately without waiting for it to get worse.

Content Reference : Klinik Apollo