Symptoms
First (primary) stage:
An open painless sore called a chancre appears and heals without treatment in one to five weeks.
Second stage:
Very contagious rash develops into sores three to six weeks after chancre appears.
Latent stage:
No symptoms, but disease can be passed from mother to fetus.
Late stage:
Tumors, damage to brain, nervous system, heart valves. Diagnosis Blood test.
Microscope examination of fluid in sores. Possible Problems Mental illness, crippling of limbs, heart disease, death.
Birth defects or stillbirth if mother passes the disease to the fetus. Transmission Sexual contact with infected person in first or second stage. Also, mother to fetus. Treatment Special prescription antibiotics at any stage.
All sex partners must be tested and treated. Prevention Abstinence.
Mutual monogamy with uninfected partner.
Correct and consistent use of latex condoms. Go Back to: Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
