Entry 14: 26/7/08

I will now continue on my last post.

Another type of Sexually Transmitted Disease is Syphilis. Syphilis is an STD that has been around for centuries. It is caused by a microscopic bacterial organism called a spirochete. The scientific name for the organism is Treponema pallidum. The spirochete is a worm like, spiral-shaped organism that wiggles vigorously when viewed under a microscope. It infects the person by burrowing into the moist, mucous-covered lining of the mouth or genitals. The spirochete produces a classic, painless ulcer known as a chancre.

There are three stages of Syphilis, along with an inactive, or latent, stage. Formation of an ulcer, or chancre, is the first stage. The chancre develops any time from 10 to 90 days after infection, with an average time of 21 days following infection until the first symptoms develop. Syphilis is highly contagious when the ulcer is present.

The infection can be transmitted from contact with the ulcer, which teems with spirochetes. If the ulcer is found to be outside of the vagina or on the male's scrotum, condoms may not prevent transmission of the infection by contact. Similarly, if the ulcer is in the mouth, merely kissing the infected individual can spread the infection. The ulcer can resolve without treatment after three to six weeks, but the disease can recur months later as secondary syphilis if the primary stage is not treated.

I will continue in my next post for more information on Syphilis.

Sources:
http://www.medicinenet.com/sexually_transmitted_diseases_stds_in_women/page3.htm

Glossary:
Chancre: A chancre is a painless ulceration formed during the primary stage of syphilis.

Spirochete: A microscopic bacterial organism in the Spirochaeta family.