Syphilis on the Face - Get Help Today!
By Kelly Purden

Syphilis is a type of STD or sexually transmitted diseased brought about by Treponema pallidum. Syphilis infections are usually spread through sexual contact, although there are also some cases of congenital syphilis, where the child is infected by her mother in utero.

If you or someone you care for has syphilis on the face, it is important that you seek treatment for it before it worsens. Leaving it untreated may lead to other health complications so it’s advisable to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

The development of the disease is observable in three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary syphilis

This type of syphilis is commonly acquired through direct sexual contact with infectious lesions of a syphilis-infected person. After about 10 to 90 days from the first exposure, a skin lesion manifests on the area of contact, typically the genitalia, but can also occur anywhere on the body. The chancre, or lesion, is a solid and painless skin ulceration often located on the vagina, penis or rectum.

Secondary syphilis

This occurs about 6 to 8 weeks after the initial infection. At this stage, the lesions are manifested in different parts of the body. Some may experience non-itchy rashes on the trunk, hands and feet. Mucous patches could also be formed in the mouth or genitals. Early eruptions usually appear in the neck, scalp, palms and soles, extremities, genital area and face. Syphilis on the face is usually secondary syphilis. Infected patients are most contagious during this stage.

Tertiary syphilis

This generally takes place 1 to 10 years after the primary infection. It is marked by gumma formation, which is a tumor-like and soft ball of inflammation also called granulomas. They appear just about in any part of the body, including the skeleton. This can also be the stage where syphilis on the face and head occurs.

What are some signs and symptoms of syphilis?

There are many symptoms of syphilis, and they are sometimes tricky to diagnose because it exhibits symptoms similar to other diseases. In fact, it has been known as the “Great Imitator” because it is oftentimes confused with other bacteria-caused STDs.

Can syphilis be treated?

Since syphilis on the face can be embarrassing for the sufferer, many patients immediately seek treatment. This is a very wise and positive step. Generally, syphilis can be treated using antibiotics, even penicillin. Proper medical treatment must be sought immediately, as if left untreated, it can lead to other health problems and complications affecting the brain, heart, aorta, eyes, and bones. Some extreme cases even lead to death.

How do I know if I have syphilis?

The only way to find out if you have syphilis on the face is to visit your doctor and have yourself checked. Remember that syphilis has been known to be the “Great Imitator” so having a medical professional to diagnose your condition will be the best option. You don’t want to confuse your symptoms with other diseases so proper diagnosis with healthcare professionals is advised. Make sure you talk to your doctor immediately, so he can give you effective treatment options before the infection gets worse, and before you can infect other people.

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Syphilis - An Enduring Sexually Transmitted Disease
By Beverly OMalley

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It has been dubbed The Great Imitator because so many of the symptoms look like something else and misdiagnosis is common. Prior to the rise of HIV, syphilis was typically considered the worst STD one was likely to encounter.

Caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium, the disease is almost always contracted through sexual contact with an existing syphilis sore, although a congenital infection where a pregnant mother passes the disease to her unborn child is possible. Syphilis sores typically occur on the genitals, anus, or inside the rectum, but they may also occur on the mouth.

In recent years the incidence rate (new cases) of syphilis has increased in both Canada and the US. Most new cases (up to 66%) are being diagnosed in individuals within the male homosexual community.

Symptoms and Complications

One of the classic problems with syphilis is that an infected person may display no symptoms for many years, yet remain at risk for harm from the disease anyway. Syphilis is a long term illness that progress through stages. The symptoms of syphilis vary depending on the stage in the life cycle of the bacterium

Stages of Syphilis

Primary stage syphilis symptoms are usually marked by the development of one or more sores. These can appear as early as 10 days following infection, or as late as 90 days, but the appearance of sores at around 3 weeks from infection is typical. These sores are small, round, solid, and painless, and appear at the point of infection. They last for 3 to 6 weeks, and then heal on their own. However, healed sores do not mean elimination of the syphilis bacterium.

The secondary stage of syphilis symptoms is noted for its skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions. The rash will appear as rough, red, or reddish brown spots that are not especially itchy. These rashes may appear differently, however, and this leads to misdiagnosis. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, hair loss, headaches, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and weight loss. As with primary stage symptoms, these symptoms will clear up on their own, but this does not mean the syphilis has gone away.

Without treatment, a person with syphilis will continue to have the disease, even though there are no further symptoms. This can go on for many years before late stage syphilis appears. The disease may then go on to cause damage the bones, brain, eyes, heart, nervous system, blood vessels, and liver. Symptoms of this degeneration include loss of muscle coordination, numbness, gradual blindness, dementia, and paralysis. Late syphilis can be fatal.

Babies infected with syphilis by their mothers may develop seizures or developmental problems within weeks of birth.

Treatment

Syphilis is a simple matter to cure, if caught in the early stages: only one intramuscular shot of the antibiotic penicillin G or azithromycin is required. However, this is only the case for infections of one year or less. Additional shots will be needed for longer infections. Other antibiotics can be substituted for those who are allergic to penicillin. Treatment for syphilis will cure a person of the disease, but it will not remedy whatever damage has already been done.

In recent years, drug resistant syphilis has been spreading. The most recent information shows that 10% of new cases are immune to azithromycin.

Prevention

The most direct means of preventing a syphilis infection is to abstain from sexual intercourse. This is followed by being in a sexually monogamous relationship with a previously tested partner, and then by requiring all sexual partners to be tested for syphilis. Condoms, when used properly, greatly reduce the chance of infection, but do not eliminate it. Washing the genitals with an antiseptic, either before or after sex, has no demonstrable effect on reducing the risk of transmission.

Beverly Hansen OMalley is a health promotion specialist and likes to write about health related topics that help people in their daily lives. She is the the owner of http://www.registered-nurse-canada.com where she explores the uniqueness of the nursing profession in Canada including comparison of the nursing entrance tests for the US and Canada, comparison of registered nurse salaries across the country and what it means to have a nursing license.

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Be STD Aware: A Guide to STDs, Prevention and Treatment

STDs & Kissing - Be Cautious of That Deadly Kiss!
By Andy Clerk

If STDs are only meant to be transmitted during sexual intercourse, think again. You might be following a totally different path of information. Sexually transmitted diseases can also be transferred to an unaffected person through a sheer kiss!

STDs kissing can be as equally dangerous as sleeping with a partner afflicted by this disease. If your significant other has active lesions and cuts in the mouth area, this creates greater possibilities of you acquiring the disease, sealed with a kiss! For this reason, awareness acts as a major necessity.

The transmission of STD is mainly caused by a bacterium that is conveyed from your partner to you. An STD known as syphilis is deemed as one of the most common form of sexually transmitted diseases that comes in varying stages. However, the latent stage can be just as deadly and can kill numbers of affected people.

As you will try to deliberate, STDs can be a deadly kiss. On the onset and primary stages of syphilis, you will just notice sores in the mouth area. But after a period of weeks, visible spots and redness in other parts of the body can also be seen. These two stages are considered to be the most contagious that can lead to grave and serious stages. There are also instances where symptoms are very much insignificant that treating the onset of the disease are by some means taken for granted.

Thus, the next time you get overwhelmed by too much emotion. Remember, to watch for the symptoms before pressing those lips for some intimate kiss.

Visit STDAmour.com to connect with other people with STDs and herpes. Experience the new form of social networking just for STDs singles.

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How Circumcision Prevents Some STDs by Mark Christian Walters

Circumcision is a controversial procedure. Some quarters oppose the practice as extremely painful, risky, and interfering with normal sexual function. Opponents of circumcision argue that it even violates the individual’s human rights when performed on infants and children.

Advocates of circumcision believe that the advantages far outweigh the perceived risks, saying it has a low complication rate when performed by an experienced physician. Studies show that circumcision has no substantial effects on sexual function, and is best performed during the neonatal period.

According to a data from a study in Uganda, circumcised men have a 25% lower risk of genital herpes and a 35% lower risk of HPV, the virus that causes genital warts and cancers. The study has proven that circumcision is effective in reducing a man’s risk of HIV infection from heterosexual sex. The two-year study involved nearly 3,400 men negative for HSV-2, the genital herpes virus.

Johns Hopkins researcher Aaron A.R. Tobian, MD, PhD, and colleagues said the findings indicate that circumcision should now be accepted as an efficacious intervention for reducing heterosexually acquired infections with HSV-2, HPV, and HIV in adolescent boys and men. “However, it must be emphasized that protection was only partial, and it is critical to promote the practice of safe sex,” said the researchers.

The study did not show whether circumcision has any effect on homosexual transmission of HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases ( STDs).

Some studies have suggested that circumcised men may be at lower risk of syphilis, but the Tobian study found no evidence to support this. Syphilis rates in the study were similar in both circumcised and uncircumcised men. Nevertheless, circumcised men in the study had fewer genital ulcers.

There are at least three ways how circumcision can prevent STDs:
When the foreskin is removed, the skin covering the head of the penis becomes tougher. That may protect against “microtears” during sex that can provide a point of entry for germs.
The mucosal lining of the foreskin may allow germs to penetrate to underlying skin cells.
After sex, the foreskin may prolong the time that tender skin is exposed to germs.

Circumcised men may be protecting not only their sex partners, but themselves as well. Data from earlier studies indicate that monogamous women with circumcised sex partners are only half as likely to get cervical cancer as women with uncircumcised sex partners. And the Tobian study shows that circumcision cuts the risk of HPV, the virus that can cause cervical cancer.

Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is an avid fiction reader. He is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products.

Discount Pharmacy is a reputable online drug store and offers an array of health products and Medicare prescription drugs.

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