Syphilis is a chronic, systemic sexually transmitted disease caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium. It is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and can clinically manifest as primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis, latent syphilis, and congenital syphilis (transmitted from mother to fetus). It is classified as a Category B disease under the "Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases of the People's Republic of China."
What are the abnormal reactions during different stages of syphilis?
Analyzing the abnormal reactions in various stages of syphilis: Syphilis can be divided into three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary syphilis.
- Primary syphilis in males: Symptoms include an increase in rashes around the genital area, which quickly erode to form ulcers, usually without pain. After the ulcer becomes infected, there is discharge, accompanied by a chancre. Chancres typically occur in the coronal sulcus, inner foreskin, glans, penis, or external urethral orifice. Without treatment, chancres usually resolve on their own within 3 to 6 weeks, leaving a superficial scar or pigmented spot. About a week after the chancre appears, local lymph nodes begin to swell, known as syphilitic buboes, most commonly affecting the inguinal lymph nodes on both sides. These lymph nodes are the size of a soybean to a fingertip, firm, painless, non-tender, non-fused, non-suppurative, and non-adherent. If the chancre occurs in other areas, asymmetric lymph node swelling may occur.
- Secondary syphilis in males: Symptoms include fever, headache, and joint pain; the appearance of syphilitic rashes, which are neither itchy nor painful but leave scars after fading; and enlargement of the liver, spleen, and superficial lymph nodes. Precursory symptoms of secondary syphilis include sore throat, general malaise, headache, weight loss, irregular fever, joint pain, and muscle pain. Over 75% of patients develop skin lesions, with maculopapular and papular syphilitic rashes being the most common. Sometimes, pustular syphilitic rashes, syphilitic leukoderma, and skin appendage damage may occur. Subjective symptoms are not obvious.
- Tertiary syphilis: The infectiousness gradually decreases, but the severity of the damage increases. Initially, the skin, mucous membranes, and bones are affected. Mucosal damage primarily presents as ulcers, such as perforations caused by ulcers on the hard palate, damage to the soft palate affecting the uvula or tonsils, and nasal mucosal ulcers destroying the nasal bone, leading to a saddle nose. Tertiary syphilis can also affect mucous membranes, mainly in the mouth and tongue, where nodular rashes or gummas may occur. On the tongue, gummas can be localized or diffuse, with the latter easily progressing to chronic interstitial glossitis, presenting as grooves of varying depth, which is a precancerous condition and should be closely monitored and treated with sufficient anti-syphilis therapy. Sometimes, superficial lesions may cause the tongue papillae to disappear, leaving the tongue smooth and red. Tongue lesions are usually asymptomatic but may cause pain when consuming hot or acidic foods.
Patients with syphilis should not have excessive psychological burdens. Once the condition is discovered, timely medical treatment and adherence to standardized treatment can lead to a cure. Excessive psychological stress and worry can negatively impact recovery and even lead to psychological disorders.
How to interact with syphilis patients:
1. Do not engage in sexual activity with syphilis patients.
2. Try to isolate them in daily life; use separate washing and eating utensils.
3. After caring for the patient, wash hands thoroughly with running water and soap, preferably disinfecting hands with antiseptic.
4. Disinfect items used by the patient, especially toilet seats, with antiseptic.
5. Boil and disinfect the patient's underwear before washing.
6. The patient's sexual partner should promptly visit a sexually transmitted disease clinic for examination, ensure the patient completes treatment, and have regular blood tests.
