This popular STI is on the rise with symptoms that are baffling medical providers. How can you recognize it?
Typical Manifestation
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria called Treponema pallidum. Chancre sores progressing to oral lesions with fever and other symptoms typically signal a need for treatment within weeks. If it clears up on its own, the bacteria remain in hiding. Syphilis historically causes severe symptoms like hearing loss, brain swelling, and even fatality, when untreated for years.
The supply of a long-acting antibiotic treatment called Bicillin L-A has been constrained for over a year. It is the only effective treatment during pregnancy. So the CDC has advised healthcare providers to prioritize available injections for pregnant women and babies.
Men have another option, called doxycycline, to cure infections. This pill requires compliance with a regimen lasting several weeks.
Unusual Manifestation
Syphilis outbreaks are surging across the United States, with more than 207,000 cases reported in 2022. Chicago is reporting a spike in patients having syphilis-related vision problems, headaches, and hearing loss. Better than two-thirds lack typical syphilis symptoms. It is called NOO syphilis, for neurosyphilis, ocular syphilis, and otic syphilis.
Researchers are collecting case reports from doctors seeing similar things in other parts of the country. This requires providers to become more diligent about screening. For now, the only explanation is the possibility of an increase in untreated or inadequately treated patients.
To support the writing of useful articles about immunology, ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may sponsor specific articles or remit a small donation.
ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online to offset expense of the writing useful articles about immunology. Slide extra posters into DeuPair Frames without removing from the wall.
Show your support by donating, shopping for ClinicalPins, or leaving an encouraging comment to keep the research going.
To support the writing of useful articles about immunology, ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may sponsor specific articles or remit a small donation.
ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online to offset expense of the writing useful articles about immunology. Slide extra posters into DeuPair Frames without removing from the wall.
ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may remit a small donation.
You can support the writing of useful articles about immunology by sponsoring specific articles or remitting a small donation. Story includes one or more generative AI images to help readers visualize scenes.
