A Silent Threat: The Dangers of Untreated Syphilis and How to Prevent Its Spread

Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that can cause severe damage to various organs if left untreated. The first sign of syphilis is often a small, painless sore on the skin, but people can be infected with the virus for years without showing symptoms. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there will be about 7.1 million people between 15 and 49 years old with the disease worldwide.

The stages of syphilis are primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. In the primary stage, symptoms usually appear 10 days to 3 months after exposure to the virus. The first sign is a small, painless sore called a chancre where the bacteria enter the body. If not treated, symptoms may disappear and then return in the secondary stage, leading to complications like a skin rash, ulcers in the mouth or anus, hair loss, fever, weight loss and body aches.

If left untreated for many years or if it progresses to tertiary syphilis it can cause severe damage to various organs such as brain and nervous system leading to paralysis or blindness and death. It’s crucial for individuals who suspect exposure or experience any warning signs of syphilis to seek medical attention promptly as it can be effectively cured with different treatment options depending on the stage of disease. Congenital syphilis occurs when pregnant women transmit the disease to their child during pregnancy or birth; most babies born with syphilis have no symptoms while others may experience complications in many organs.