Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum, characterized by a painless sore called a chancre. The disease progresses through four stages—primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary—with serious health consequences if left untreated. Diagnosis involves blood tests, and treatment typically consists of penicillin, emphasizing the importance of safe sex practices to prevent infection.

1. WELCOME

2. A
PRESENTATION ON
‘SYPHILIS’
PRESENTED BY
JINS JOSEPH
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

3. 1. INTRODUCTION
• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection
(STI) caused by a type of bacteria known
as Treponema pallidum. The first sign of syphilis
is a small, painless sore. It can appear on the
sexual organs, rectum, or inside the mouth.
• This sore is called a chancre. People often fail to
notice it right in the first stage. Syphilis can be
challenging to diagnose. Someone can have it
without showing any symptoms for years.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

4. • However, the earlier syphilis is discovered, the
patient gets better treatment. Syphilis that
remains untreated for a long time can cause
major damage to important organs, like the heart
and brain.
• Syphilis is only spread through direct contact
with syphilitic chancres. It can’t be transmitted by
sharing a toilet with another person, wearing
another person’s clothing, or using another
person’s eating utensils.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

5. 2. SYMPTOMS
• The infection has identified by four stages they
are, primary, secondary, latent, tertiary. It is most
infectious in the first two stages.
• When syphilis is in the hidden or latent stage,
the disease remains active but often with no
symptoms.
• Tertiary syphilis is the most destructive to health.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

6. 2.1. Primary syphilis
• The primary stage of syphilis occurs about three to
four weeks after a person contracts the bacteria. It
begins with a small, round sore called a chancre. A
chancre is painless, but it’s highly infectious. This
sore may appear wherever the bacteria entered
the body, such as on or inside the mouth, genitals,
or rectum.
• On average, the sore shows up around three
weeks after infection, but it can take between 10
and 90 days to appear. The sore remains for a
period of two to six weeks. Syphilis is transmitted
by direct contact with a sore. This usually occurs
during sexual activity, including oral sex.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

7. 2.2. Secondary syphilis
• Skin rashes and a sore throat may develop during
the second stage of syphilis. The rash won’t itch
and is usually found on the palms and soles, but it
may occur anywhere on the body. Some people
don’t notice the rash before it goes away. Other
symptoms of secondary syphilis may include,
headaches swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever,
weight loss, hair loss, aching joints etc.
• These symptoms will go away whether or not the
treatment is received. Secondary syphilis is often
mistaken for another condition. People develop
red or reddish-brown bumps or patches and they
are very infectious at this point.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

8. 2.3. Latent syphilis
• The third stage of syphilis is the latent or hidden
stage. The primary and secondary symptoms
disappear and there won’t be any noticeable
symptoms at this stage.
• However the bacteria remain in the body. This
stage could last for years before progressing to
tertiary syphilis.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

9. 2.4. Tertiary syphilis
• The last stage of infection is tertiary syphilis.
Approximately 15 to 30 percent of people who
don’t receive treatment for syphilis will enter this
stage. Tertiary syphilis can occur years or decades
after the initial infection. Tertiary syphilis can be
life-threatening.
• Some other potential outcomes of tertiary syphilis
include, blindness, deafness, mental illness,
memory loss, destruction of soft tissue and bone,
• Neurological disorders, such
as stroke or meningitis, heart disease, Neuro
syphilis which is an infection of the brain or spinal
cord.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

10. 3. DIAGNOSIS
• By testing the blood sample the disease can be
easily identified. The doctors will also conduct a
thorough physical examination for the verification
of the disease. If a sore is present the doctor may
take a sample from the sore to determine if the
syphilis bacterium is present.
• The Doctor screens the patient if she is pregnant,
because the bacteria can be in the body without its
appearance. This is to prevent the fetus from
being infected with congenital syphilis. Congenital
syphilis can cause severe damage in a newborn
and can even be fatal.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

11. 4. TREATMENT
• Primary and secondary syphilis are easy to treat
with a penicillin injection. Penicillin is one of the
most widely used antibiotics and is usually
effective in treating syphilis. People who are
allergic to penicillin will likely be treated with a
different antibiotic.
• If the person has neurosyphilis then he is given
with a daily dose of penicillin intravenously.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

12. • This will often require a brief hospital stay.
Unfortunately, the damage caused by late
syphilis can’t be reversed. The bacteria can be
killed, but treatment will most likely focus on
easing pain and discomfort.
• During treatment, it is very important to avoid
sexual contact until all sores on the body are
healed and the doctor tells you it’s safe to
resume sex. Don’t resume sexual activity until
the person and his partner have completed
treatment.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

13. 5. PREVENTION
• The best way to prevent syphilis is to practice
safe sex and to use condoms during any type of
sexual contact. It is also important to use a
dental dam (a square piece of latex) or condoms
during oral sex, Avoiding sharing sex toys.
Getting screened for STIs and talking to the
partners about the results. Syphilis can also be
transmitted through shared needles. Avoid
sharing needles if using injected drugs.
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

14. 6. REFERENCE
• https://www.healthline.com/health/std/syphilis
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis

15. THANK YOU
JINS JOSEPH presentation on Syphilis