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In definition, Syphilis is one of the most common types of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). It is caused by The Treponema Pallidum bacteria. One of the most recognized manifestations of this disease acquired by means of sexual contact is the presence of ulcerations at the infection site. But presence of the ulcers in a particular area of the body does not necessarily mean that the infection is stationary on that region alone. The bacteria that cause Syphilis can travel throughout the human body. As a consequence, the infection can cause great damage to many organs as time passes by. Invasion of the bacteria can move on to different phases causing damages to become worse overtime.
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There are four phases of Syphilis development namely: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary. The primary and secondary stages of Syphilis can last for one to two years. During this period, undetected and eventually untreated Syphilis can infect others. As it continues to be left untreated reaching the late phase of its existence in a particular person’s body system, to neurological functions, blindness, cardiac abnormalities, and even death in the long run.
With all of the health related problems that Syphilis can possibly bring to a normal individual, imagine the greater threat it can bring to the unborn baby of a Syphilis-infected pregnant woman. What the pregnant eats has a direct effect on the fetus inside her, right? This is why alcohol and illegal substances abuse are big “nos” when you are pregnant. With this said, you would then find it more likely that a pregnant woman with untreated STD like Syphilis can pass the infection to her unborn baby.
It is very likely that the infected mother would pass on the infection to her baby resulting to a Syphilis infected neonate. Stillbirth is also possible to occur due to the damaging effects brought about by Syphilis. The worst outcome that any expectant parent would dread to face is the potential neonatal death.
Most cases of Congenital Syphilis are revealed by the characteristic skin lesions in various areas of the body. In some cases, these sores initially presents as red sores about 2 weeks to 3 months after birth. These sores would then develop into blisters, which are expected to erupt oozing with either fluid or blood. Few days after, crusts starts to form around the sores. These lesions may or may not be accompanied by fever. Other indications may include anemia, swollen spleen and liver, yellowish skin or jaundice, and somewhat hoarse or weak crying. There are also cases when some infants infected with Syphilis are born with one or few deformities.
Neonates born with Syphilis that do not show any signs or symptoms that might suggest the presence of the STD are more at risk of further complications. Absence of any sign would result to non-detection of the condition. This is more dangerous because the longer it takes to be detected would mean greater damage that it can bring to the body system of the infant, which are considered as late-stage Syphilis symptoms.
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