Question

_________ is a sexually transmitted treponemal disease, acute and chronic, characterized by primary skin lesions; secondary eruption involving skin and mucous membraneous; long periods of latency, and late lesions of the skin, bone , viscera, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

Answer 1

Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has multiple stages, starting with a hard chancre, followed by rash and systemic symptoms, and can lead to serious complications like heart and brain damage if untreated. Diagnosis and timely treatment are critical to prevent late-stage complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease progresses through several stages if not treated effectively, starting with the primary syphilis stage, where a hard, painless sore called a hard chancre develops. This is followed by the secondary stage that includes a rash, often starting on the palms or soles and then spreading, as well as systemic symptoms like fever and swollen lymph nodes. If untreated, the infection can enter a latent phase, and the final stage, tertiary syphilis, can damage the heart, brain, and other organs, with potentially fatal outcomes.

Tertiary syphilis, manifesting years after the initial infection, features severe symptoms like granulomatous lesions called gummas and can lead to cardiovascular syphilis or neurosyphilis. These complications can cause aortic aneurysms, coronary stenosis, dementia, and seizures.

Syphilis can be diagnosed through treponemal serologic tests. Effective treatment is available, and early diagnosis is crucial to prevent progression to the later, more dangerous stages of the disease.