Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. Let us further consider the features of its primary stage, as well as what symptoms it has, what features it has and how it is treated.
General information
Primary syphilis is the period that occurs during the maturation of the disease in the human body. It should be noted that it is at this moment that the first symptoms of the disease are already clearly manifested, but at this time they are not yet expressed in the form of frank damage in the human genital area.
You need to understand that the ability to recognize the first symptoms of syphilis at its very first stage of inception can save the life of a person who will be able to turn to a specialist in the field of venereology in time to determine the cause of the formation of the disease and its timely treatment. Practice shows that the treatment of syphilis at the very first stage of its occurrence, as a rule, helps to prevent the onset of more serious stages of the disease, as well as the onset of disastrous consequences.
The period of primary syphilis maylast for several weeks from the moment of infection, and its symptoms appear almost immediately.
Case history
From the history of primary syphilis, three theories of the occurrence of the disease in question can be distinguished: European, African and American.
According to American theory, this disease appeared in Europe in the 15th century, and, in all likelihood, it was "brought" by the crew members of the ship of Christopher Columbus, who were infected with the virus while still in America. Scientists came to such conclusions after they found bacteria quite similar to syphilis in cattle. It is believed that the cause of this disease was the love of American natives for bestiality, in fact, from which the human infection occurred. Of course, in the human body, the virus has been somewhat modified. However, the reliability of such a theory raises some doubts, since syphilitic processes were found in many ancient human remains, and there are also references to such a disease in various annals and other ancient sources of Ancient Greece, Egypt and Persia.
The African theory of the origin of the disease says that syphilis is a separate branch of the development of another disease - yaws. Until now, this disease is very common in the countries of the African continent. By its nature, it is very similar to syphilis, however, unlike it, it is not sexually transmitted, but enters the body through the pores and cracks formed onskin. Currently, experts are suggesting that syphilis is a subspecies of yaws, it was brought to Europe during the active slave trade that was conducted with the African continent.
And, finally, another theory of the origin of the disease - European. It says that the disease in question existed in the Bronze Age, when humanity was just emerging. Scientists made such conclusions after they found a mass of human remains of those times that were subject to certain changes that could only occur under the influence of syphilis.
In the history of mankind, there are several cases when Europe, Russia and other countries of the world were covered by an epidemic of this disease. Modern specialists in the field of medicine also draw the attention of the public to the fact that at present, more and more patients of the venereological departments of clinics experience symptoms of primary syphilis, and this disease is also detected at later stages. That is why they believe that conducting educational activities, especially among the younger generation, is a very important activity.
Ways to acquire syphilis
In order to protect yourself from such a disease, it is imperative to be aware of exactly how it is transmitted.
First of all, of course, you should know that the most common way of transmission of the disease in question is sexual. In order to protect yourself from unwanted infections, you must carefully protect yourself. Moreover, it should be taken into account that only a condom can save from sexually transmitted diseases, since only this remedy is able to withstand direct contact of the partner's penis with the partner's body. Moreover, it should be noted that syphilis is a disease that can be transmitted through any type of sexual contact: vaginal, anal and even oral.
The disease in question can also be transmitted in domestic conditions: through saliva, bath towels, bed linen, washcloths. A common route of transmission of the disease is through blood and breast milk.
Symptoms of the primary period of syphilis: chancres
Any person must know what the first signs that appear in the body and on the human body indicate infection with a dangerous disease. First of all, these include the formation of a hard chancre. Many photos with primary syphilis show what this phenomenon looks like. As a rule, it is formed in the genital area: on the small and large labia (in women), at the end of the penis (in men), in the anus (most often in homosexuals or in those women who practice anal sex), and also on the posterior commissure. Primary syphilis in women can be manifested on the vaginal walls or in the cervical region, which is impossible to notice on your own - such a symptom can only be detected by a gynecologist at the time of examination.
In practice, it often happens that chancres are extragenital in nature, that is, they are not formed in the areagenitals. Often this phenomenon is most often manifested on the arm and back.
What does a chancre look like? First of all, it appears in the form of round or oval spots, characterized by density and characteristic soreness when pressed on it. The described neoplasm has strictly defined boundaries, and their size, as a rule, is about 10 mm in diameter. All spots, which are the primary symptoms of syphilis, have a purple or cloudy pink hue, and on top they have a kind of varnished surface, due to the presence of a small amount of secretion that is released through the chancre at the time the disease begins.
In some cases, venereologists can meet ulcerative chancres on the bodies of patients. They are characterized by great soreness in sensations, as well as the flow of decay processes at the site of their formation, which indicates a greater aggravation of the problem that has arisen. This type of chancre is very common in homosexuals, in whose bodies the primary syphilis virus is observed.
Amygdalitis
In fact, amygdalitis manifests itself as an ordinary viral cold. As a rule, it occurs when there is oral contact with a carrier of the virus. The same applies to cases of acquiring the disease by household means.
Specialists in the field of venereology characterize amygdalitis as a syphilitic sore throat that affects the mucous membrane of the throat. The pathological process of its course is one-sided. As a rule, the main changes concern the region of the tonsils,which within a short period begin to swell, turn red and become covered with chancres or even ulcers. In the process, the lymph nodes may become several centimeters larger than usual.
This symptom may occur a couple of weeks after the infection of the body, as a result of which in medical practice it is often called "associated bubo".
It should be noted that this phenomenon is being eliminated for a very long time. In the process of treatment, pale treponema will be observed in the places of inflammation for a long time, as a result of which the disease from the primary stage can develop into a secondary one.
Vascular wall injury
A sign of primary syphilis are also lesions that can occur in the area of the lymphatic network. Such a manifestation of the disease can easily be determined by a venereologist, without even conducting an additional examination. The symptom is clearly manifested from the outside, with a visual examination. The primary syphilis lesion element is presented in the form of lymphangitis, which looks like a tight lace. This formation is completely painless and is usually detected during palpation.
Other signs
Other signs can be attributed to the number of symptoms of the primary period of syphilis. Most of them a person can notice on their own and turn to a venereologist in time. It should be noted that all the symptoms presented in this section, as a rule, appear after the formation of chancres, as well as inflammation of the lymph nodes.
A person whose bodyinfected with a bacterium that produces syphilis, almost immediately after the end of the incubation period, begins to experience a general malaise throughout the body, which, as a rule, is especially well observed in people who lead an active lifestyle. Future patients of the venereologist begin to experience severe headaches, aching joints, and discomfort in the legs. As a rule, such sensations are accompanied by fever and muscle pain.
A person with primary syphilis may have a low hemoglobin level and a marked increase in white blood cell count as a result of laboratory tests.
If you find such symptoms in yourself, all medical specialists unanimously recommend contacting the clinic for general tests. It should be noted that such symptoms accompany the end of the incubation period for many life-threatening diseases.
Incubation period
It should be noted that primary seronegative syphilis has its own incubation period, during which the disease may not reveal any signs. If we consider the average indicators associated with the duration of the incubation period, then the disease can be in a "sleeping" state from 21 to 50 days from the moment the virus enters the body. As medical practice shows, within a three-week period from the moment the bacterium enters the body, the results of all tests studied in the laboratory may have a negative answer, as if the body does notinfected. As a rule, the first symptoms described above may appear on the 21st day and later.
There are certain reasons that contribute to the prolongation of the incubation period of the virus. These include high body temperature, which is observed for a long time. In addition, the disease will manifest itself much later if a person is undergoing treatment in which there is a course of antibiotics. The age of the patient also affects the term for determining the disease: the older he is, the longer the incubation period can take.
It should be noted that the duration of the incubation period affects the overall course of the disease. So, over a longer period of time, the spirochete bacterium, which is the main causative agent of the disease, has time to multiply significantly and penetrate into many organs, and especially into the lymph. In this case, a serious inflammatory process will be observed in the body, which can lead to consequences that are dangerous to he alth and life.
The incubation period can be very short. This happens when a critically large number of treponemas enter the body, which multiply at a rapid rate.
Diagnosis
Before starting the treatment of primary syphilis, the diagnosis of the disease is carried out, which is carried out in the laboratory. Simultaneously, studies of clinical symptoms should also be carried out.
Diagnosis of primary syphilis, as a rule, begins with the Wasserman reaction - thisthe procedure is fundamental in determining the disease. In the event that, after it is carried out, a chancre forms on the patient's body, this means that its result is negative, and there is a disease in the body that lasts less than a month. In the event that the test shows a positive result, this means that the disease has been occurring for more than one month, as evidenced by the accumulation of a large number of antibodies. In this case, the specialist can safely say that seroconversion has occurred in the human body, as a result of which the seronegative period was replaced by a positive one.
Actually, the primary signs of syphilis can also be used to diagnose the disease. In particular, specialists in the field of venereology conduct some studies of chancres by direct microscopy in a dark body. If the causative agent of syphilis is found here, then this factor is indisputable evidence of the presence of the disease in the human body.
Diagnosis after the incubation period
After the incubation period of the disease passes, the person begins to experience the symptoms of primary syphilis, visible signs of the presence of the disease appear on his body, and the general condition of the body worsens significantly. It should be noted that all tests performed during this period begin to show the presence of the disease. How is the diagnosis of the disease carried out in this period?
First of all, a specialist in the field of venereology prescribes serological diagnostics,which implies the process of detecting pathogenic bacteria (treponema) in chancres. Based on the results obtained during the study conducted in the laboratory, the doctor draws up his conclusion regarding the presence of the disease and the stage of its course.
After the described procedure, a number of other studies are carried out: the body is studied by the Wassermann reaction, microreaction on glass, microprecipitation, and also passive hemagglutination. In the process of diagnosing primary syphilis (the photo shows skin manifestations of the disease), actions are taken to immobilize treponema, as well as its immunofluorescence.
After all the necessary studies have been completed and the results have been received, the doctor must examine the patient's he alth data and prescribe the most appropriate course of treatment.
It should be noted that all the types of diagnostics described can be carried out if chancres are already clearly observed on the human body, erosion of the genital organs occurs, and there are also ulcers or, for example, balanoposthitis, gradually developing into gangrene.
Treatment
Primary, secondary and tertiary syphilis is treated differently. However, it should be noted that all manipulations are most effective at the first stage, when the disease has not yet managed to affect most of the body's cells. The main task of a specialist who deals with the treatment of the primary period of syphilis is to create all conditions so that the disease does notmoved to the secondary stage, since further processes may already be irreversible. Immediately, it should be taken into account that the treatment procedure is a rather lengthy process, which consists of several stages, at which tests are carried out, laboratory tests of various types, as well as some operations and observations. In the event that the patient turned to the venereologist with the problem in time, the treatment procedure may take about 90 days or a little longer, but if a later stage is detected, the process may drag on for at least a year.
In addition to the patient himself, all members of his family, as well as those people who have close contact with him or live under the same roof, must undergo an examination at the clinic. This condition is connected with the fact that the disease in question at any stage tends to be transmitted by household means.
When the primary signs of syphilis are detected, treatment is carried out by penicillin injection, which is done every three hours in a hospital. This course of treatment is about 24 days. In the event that a patient has been diagnosed with primary syphilis, his treatment is carried out in a clinic for at least three weeks.
After the specified period, all further procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. Depending on the stage of the disease, the procedure for its elimination will be long or short-term.
In practice, there are often cases when the patient's body is allergic to penicillin. In this case, its treatment is carried out by introducingdrugs based on iodine and bismuth, as well as fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and macrolides.
In the process of treatment, the patient must adhere to a strict diet. The diet provides for the presence in the daily menu of a large amount of protein foods. Carbohydrates and fats should be completely excluded from the diet. During the period of direct treatment and rehabilitation, smoking is strictly prohibited, as well as the use of alcoholic beverages in any form. In addition, a desirable factor is the elimination of any physical stress on the body. In addition, every person who has been diagnosed with primary manifestations of syphilis should understand that he is contraindicated in sexual contacts of any kind, kissing, as well as the imprudent use of personal hygiene products. All of these actions entail a serious risk of infecting your sexual partner, as well as family members.
In the process of treating primary syphilis, chancres are treated with special solutions, lotions are made on them. For this purpose, experts use preparations and solutions in which there is a high content of benzylpenicillin, as well as dimexide. In the event that chancres are located in the oral cavity, the patient is prescribed rinsing procedures with a solution containing furacilin and boric acid.
It should be noted that these methods of treatment are used only in the case of the course of the primary period of syphilis. In the event that the patient has a more advancedstage of the disease, the specialist, as a rule, uses other methods of treatment. Any patient should also understand that when the first signs of the disease in question are detected, one should immediately consult a doctor, since their manifestation only indicates that the disease has already survived the stage of the incubation period and has begun to be absorbed in the body. Any delay in this case can be dangerous not only for he alth, but also for life.
Prescription drugs for syphilis
In order to overcome primary syphilis on the penis, in the labia, in the mouth or on any other part of the body, you should definitely consult a specialist. He will prescribe the most suitable course of treatment, as well as select drugs that support immunity and kill bacteria that cause irreversible processes in the body.
For the treatment of primary and secondary syphilis, venereologists most often recommend to their patients the use of drugs such as Josamycin, which must be taken three times a day, 750 mg, as well as Erythromycin and Doxycycline, which must be taken orally four times a day, 0.5 mg.
As part of the course of treatment of the primary stage of syphilis, independent or additional intramuscular injections may be prescribed. Experts recognize the most effective among this form of the drug as "Extencillin", which is enough for only two injections for the whole course, as well as "Bicillin" - this drug is also administered twice, but the procedure should berepeat five days later until the disease subsides.
Prevention
There are certain preventive measures that allow you to avoid contracting syphilis. It should be noted that even an absolutely he althy person who leads an orderly sex life can suddenly meet with a carrier of a pathogenic bacterium and become infected with an unpleasant illness from him. So what measures should be taken in order to protect yourself from this as much as possible?
In order to definitely avoid infection with a bacterium, you should certainly thoroughly approach the choice of a sexual partner. Specialists in the field of medicine of various profiles, as well as sexologists, recommend avoiding sexual contact with unfamiliar people. In the case of sex, you should definitely use a condom, and regardless of what type of contact occurs (anal, oral or vaginal).
In the event that a person understands that he has had sexual or bodily contact with a person who is infected with the disease in question, he should immediately contact a medical specialist (venereologist) for an examination and testing. In parallel with this, it will be necessary to immediately undergo a small course of preventive treatment that will prevent infection of the body - such preventive measures will help to avoid the disease, as well as its deplorable consequences.
