1. Alyssa Emanuelson, MS, MA, ATC
Syphillis
Alyssa Emanuelson, MS, MA, ATC

2. Syphilis is: 63,450 reported as new cases each year
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can have very serious complications when left untreated, but it is simple to cure with the right treatment.
63,450 reported as new cases each year

3. Under a microscope

4. Basic Facts:
Direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Sores can be found on the penis, vagina, anus, in the rectum, or on the lips and in the mouth. Syphilis can also be spread from an infected mother to her unborn baby
Transmitted from person to person by direct contact with a syphilitic sore, known as a chancre. Chancres occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Chancres also can occur on the lips and in the mouth. Transmission of syphilis occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the disease can transmit it to their unborn child

5. Chancres

6. Chancres

7. Chancres

8. The Great “Imitator”
So many possible symptoms, many of which look like symptoms from other diseases
 Painless syphilis sore that you would get after you are first infected can be confused for an ingrown hair, zipper cut, or other seemingly harmless bump
itchy body rash that develops during the second stage of syphilis can show up on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, all over your body, or in just a few places
affect the eye and can lead to permanent blindness
May have a lot of symptoms or none at all

9. How can you avoid syphilis?
NOT have sex.
Vaginal, Oral, or anal
LT Monogamous Relationship w/someone that’s tested negative for STDs
Latex condoms every time you have sex

10. Who is at risk for syphilis?
Sexually active and unprotected sex

11. S/S of Syphilis Primary Stage
Single or possibly multiple sores at site where syphilis entered the body
Firm, round, and painless sore
Lasts 3-6 weeks

12. S/S of Syphilis Secondary Stage
Skin rashes and/or sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus (also called mucous membrane lesions)
Rash can show up when your primary sore is healing or several weeks after the sore has healed
Rough, red, or reddish brown spots on the palms of your hands and/or the bottoms of your feet
Can include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue (feeling very tired)

13. Secondary Rash

14. Secondary Rash

15. S/S of Syphilis Latent and Late Stages Earlier s/s disappear
occur 10–30 years after your infection began.
Symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty coordinating your muscle movements, paralysis (not able to move certain parts of your body), numbness, blindness, and dementia (mental disorder). In the late stages of syphilis, the disease damages your internal organs and can result in death.

16. Latent Syphilis

17. Latent Syphilis

18. Impact of Latent Syphilis
No S/S present will continue to tertiary syphilis:
-10–30 years after infection was first acquired, and it can be fatal. Tertiary syphilis can affect multiple organ systems, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints

19. Tertiary Syphilis Neurological problems
Syphilis can cause a number of problems with your nervous system, including:
Stroke
Meningitis
Hearing loss
Visual problems
Dementia
Loss of pain and temperature sensations
Sexual dysfunction in men (impotence)
Bladder incontinence
Sudden, lightning-like pains

20. Tertiary Syphilis Cardiovascular problems
These may include bulging (aneurysm) and inflammation of the aorta — your body's major artery — and of other blood vessels. Syphilis may also damage heart valves.