Syphilis: As majority of these cases are asymptomatic, here are a few medically relevant things you need to know about this STI

Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. As per the data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 7 million adults had syphilis in 2020. Though it is a preventable infection, in most of cases the symptoms are not noticed. This makes it important to know what causes syphilis and what are the subtle signs of the STI.

Syphilis is transmitted from an infected individual to a healthy individual through sexual activities mostly. Sexual contact through oral, vaginal, and anal sex can spread syphilis from one person to another. Unprotected sex facilitates the spread of syphilis.

In the initial stage of the infection, sores appear in the genitals mostly. These sores are round and are usually painless. The rashes usually heal and go away in a week, if treated. If not treated, it progresses to advanced stages.

Syphilis gets serious when it progresses to the third and final stage of the infection, in which there is a risk of brain and cardiovascular diseases. Syphilis during pregnancy can also lead to severe complications like stillbirths and babies being born with syphilis known as congenital syphilis.

Syphilis can affect multiple organs of the body. Neurosyphilis can lead to severe problems in the musculoskeletal structure, ocular syphilis can impair the vision of the eyes and otosyphilis can affect balance and coordination and impair the hearing ability of the individual. It also increases the risk of HIV, and other STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes.

Syphilis can be treated but the best way is to prevent it from happening. Protected sex like using condoms is the best way to prevent contracting the infection. One should get tested annually for STI. Pregnant women should get tested for the infection. Congenital syphilis can also be treated.

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