The drive to contain the spread of syphilis is gearing for momentum in Africa. Globally, the rise of infections is alarming to the relevant departments. Syphilis is a branch of the many sexually transmitted diseases. It is transmitted through a bacterium known as Treponema pallidum. The four stages in which the disease manifests have different approaches in treatment.
- Primary Stage
- Secondary Stage
- Latent Stage
- Tertiary Stage
While the primary and secondary are quick to treat, the latent and tertiary are not. If there is a delay in treatment, the disease can spread and cripple other body organs. In extreme cases, there can be fatalities.
Read More: Syphilis Symptoms
Detecting Syphilis
It is difficult to know that you have syphilis. The clinical signs can delay for up to three months. In between, you can be active in sexual encounters, thus spreading it further. The common manifestations can include painless sores in and around the genitals and rectum. Also, the wounds can break on your lips and inside the mouth.
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This is the time to seek medical attention. But since many do not even notice the sore, the lump clears by itself. Then as the disease progresses, more damage occurs in the body organs. In the tertiary stage, your mental and nervous faculties will be on the gradual decline. Regular screening is, therefore, advisable at all times.
The vulnerable groups like the youth, commercial sex workers, gays, and people in multiple sexual relations should take extra care. There are many self-test devices in the market. These test kits are easy to use and accurate in their results. It will pain you a little since you need a few drops of blood.
- Open up the test kit
- Put a few drops of blood on the kit
- A single pink line denotes a negative result
- While a double line reports positive results
The operating area should be clean. Equally, the room should be of optimum temperature. If you have a periodic interval on your testing, you can detect the early stages of the disease. Since pregnant mothers are at the highest risk of passing it to the infant, screening needs to be regularly.
Read More: Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis
Treatment
When you have a clinical visit early, the disease is curable with little antibiotics. The later stages will take longer to deal with. This will mean a combination of drugs to cure the other organs that may be ailing also. Besides the long period under medication, the disease will be pacified.
However, if the extended period has damaged your body organs, the medication will not repair the damage. But the good news is the bacteria will clear from the body, forestalling any further damage. Self-medication is common after the home test kit results. Unless you are a medical practitioner, it is not advisable to treat yourself without a prescription.
Read More: Modern Treatment of Syphilis