Entry 16: 26/7/08

I will now continue on the tertiary stage of Syphilis.

At this stage, Syphilis usually is no longer contagious. Tertiary Syphilis is also a systemic stage of the disease and can cause a variety of problems throughout the body including:

-Abnormal bulging of the large vessel leaving the heart (the aorta), resulting in heart problems
-The development of large nodules, or gummas in various organs of the body
-Infection of the brain, causing a stroke, mental confusion, meningitis (type of brain infection), problems with sensation, or weakness (neurosyphilis)
-Involvement of the eyes, leading to sight deterioration
-Involvement of the ears resulting in deafness.

The damage sustained by the body during the tertiary stage of Syphilis is severe and can even be fatal.

Depending on the stage of disease and the clinical manifestations, the treatment options for Syphilis vary. Long-acting penicillin injections have been very effective in treating both early and late stage syphilis. The treatment of neurosyphilis, however, requires the intravenous administration of penicillin. Alternative treatments include oral doxycycline or tetracycline.
Women who are infected during pregnancy can pass on the infection to the foetus through the placenta. Penicillin must be used in pregnant patients with Syphilis since other antibiotics do not effectively cross the placenta to treat the infected foetus. Left untreated, Syphilis can lead to blindness or even death of the infant.

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

Glossary:
Penicillin: Penicillin (sometimes abbreviated PCN or pen) is a group of Beta-lactam antibiotics used in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible, usually Gram-positive, organisms.

Gumma: A gumma is a soft, non-cancerous growth resulting from the tertiary stage of Syphilis.

Neurosyphilis: Neurosyphilis refers to a site of infection involving the central nervous system (CNS). Neurosyphilis may occur at any stage of syphilis.