Generality
Syphilis (or lue) is a disease caused by a bacterium (Treponema pallidum), which causes a "chronic progressive infection with potential permanent damage to all organs.
The man contracts this pathology mainly through sexual intercourse not protected by condoms, both genital and oral, with a previously infected person.
Often, primary syphilitic lesions are localized in the genital area, particularly in the penis, the foreskin (the portion of skin covering the glans penis) or the anus and, if left untreated, tend to progress towards the secondary stage of the disease.
Secondary syphilis occurs approximately six weeks after the primary lesion (called syphiloma) disappears with a "macular rash on the limbs and trunk, sometimes accompanied by fever, joint pain, fatigue and hair loss."
In the latent period, the man does not show any symptoms, but he can still transmit the disease. If healing does not occur, syphilis can evolve into the third stage (tertiary syphilis), which can occur even after thirty "years from the first infection.
The diagnosis of syphilis in humans is based on clinical and anamnestic data, on the "microscopic identification of the T. pallidum and on the results of serological investigations. Treatment involves antibiotic therapy, while prevention must be implemented by practicing safe and protected sex to reduce the risk of infection.
Note. Syphilis is one of the most important sexually transmitted diseases. The infection can affect both sexes, but men are more frequently affected by the problem.
Causes and risk factors
Syphilis is caused by the Treponema pallidum, a spirochete (ie a spiral-shaped bacterium) that is able to spread easily in the organism.
This infectious agent is able to penetrate through intact mucous membranes (genital, rectal and oropharyngeal) or damaged skin, so it can be easily transmitted through oral contact and unprotected vaginal and anal sexual intercourse.
Without adequate treatment, syphilis evolves within weeks or months: this microorganism migrates through the skin capillaries, then spreads to the lymph nodes, where it multiplies until it reaches levels sufficient to cause clinical disease. Typically, syphilis incubation times extend from 2 to 12 weeks.
In people with the disease, the Treponema Pallidum it is found in all body fluids, such as semen and vaginal secretions. In addition, the bacterium is found in skin, genital and mucous lesions, including that of the mouth, which occur in the course of syphilis.
Without timely diagnosis and therapy, a progressive evolution of the disease is possible, which can induce serious permanent damage to multiple organs and systems, such as skin, heart, brain and skeleton.
