Treponema pallidum
Pathology
T. pallidium is the causative agent of syphilis. It is transmitted through humans and causes diseases and can cause damages and previous damage done by the organism cannot be cured. It is only transmitted sexually. It can be transmitted from mother to baby. The disease it transmitted by sexual contact and it does not spread by using things that are used by others for regular purposes such as clothes, utensils, etc. The disease is spread from one person to another by contact with syphilis sores. The sores can occur on the external anus, vagina, and internal anus and can also occur in the rectum. The primary stage of syphilis there is a chancre that is round and does not cause pain. It heals on its own and if the disease is not treated a person will go into the secondary and late phases of the disease. The sores can also occur in the mouth. Sometime it is not possible for a person to know whether the person has syphilis because sores occur in inside of the vagina and anus in males and females. So the person should be tested for syphilis. The secondary phase is associated with rash through out the body. If it is not treated the symptoms will go into the latent phase and it can cause damage to organs and it affects the coordination and affect the important organs and may even lead to death. Syphilis can be treated and the person at that time should avoid sexual contact. It requires use of antibiotics and intramuscular injection of penicillin.
The person infected with Syphilis has a higher risk of getting HIV. The spread of the disease can be prevented by using safe sex practices like the use of a condom. Use of condoms can be effective if the person uses it with care and even then the person should be careful not to come in contact with the syphilis sores of the infected person.
Neurosyphilis is a problem in patients who suffer from syphilis. It involves the Central nervous system. Tests are done by using the cerebrospinal fluid. There are four types of neurosyphilis Asymptomatic neurosyphilis, Meningovascular syphilis, General paresis and Tabes dorsalis. The last two forms are not quite common now.During Meningiovascular syphilis the person first experiences prodomal symptoms and then the person goes into the later stage. The disease can occur within 10 months or it might on an average take 7 years to be expressed. The symptoms of the prodomal stage are behavioral changes and other problems are headache, weakness, numbness and insomnia. There can also be an inflammation of the arteries and the person can also suffer from stroke because there is less blood supply from the arteries.