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Rapid (R) plasma(P)
reagin (R), is a blood test for syphilis that looks for an
antibody that is present in the bloodstream when a patient has
syphilis.
A negative (nonreactive)
RPR is compatible with a person not having syphilis, but in the
early stages of the disease, the RPR often gives false negative
results. Conversely, a false positive RPR can be encountered in
infectious mononucleosis, lupus, antiphospholipid antibody
syndrome, hepatitis A, leprosy, malaria and, occasionally,
pregnancy
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many of the
signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other
diseases.
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always
treatable but curable only if diagnosed early
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sores also
can occur on the lips and in the mouth.
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if adequate
treatment is not administered, the infection progresses to the
secondary stage.
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approximately 30,000 cases of syphilis in adults are reported
each year in the United States.
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the risk of
transmission to the fetus in untreated primary or secondary
syphilis is approximately 100%.
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treatment is usually 100% effective and results in a cure with
simple antibiotics from your neighborhood doctor.
What is
syphilis?
Syphilis is a
complex sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the
bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called
"the great imitator" because so many of the signs and symptoms
are indistinguishable from those of other diseases.
How is
syphilis spread?
Syphilis is
passed from person to person through direct contact with a
syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals,
vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips
and in the mouth. Transmission of the organism occurs during
vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the disease can
pass it to the babies they are carrying. Syphilis cannot
be spread by toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools, hot tubs,
bath tubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.
Signs and symptoms in adults?
Primary
Stage
The time between infection with syphilis and the start of the
first symptom can range from 10-90 days (average 21 days). The
primary stage of syphilis is usually marked by the appearance
of a single sore (called a chancre), but there may be multiple
sores. The chancre is usually firm, round, small, and
painless. It appears at the spot where syphilis entered the
body. The chancre lasts 3-6 weeks, and it will heal on its
own. If adequate treatment is not administered, the infection
progresses to the secondary stage.
Secondary
Stage
The second stage starts when one or more areas of the skin break
into a rash that usually does not itch. Rashes can appear as the
chancre is fading or can be delayed for weeks. The rash often
appears as rough, red or reddish brown spots both on the palms
of the hands and on the bottoms of the feet. The rash also may
also appear on other parts of the body with different
characteristics, some of which resemble other diseases.
Sometimes the rashes are so faint that they are not noticed.
Even without treatment, rashes clear up on their own. In
addition to rashes, second-stage symptoms can include fever,
swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches,
weight loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. A person can easily
pass the disease to sex partners when primary or secondary stage
signs or symptoms are present.
Late
Syphilis
The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when the secondary
symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the infected person still
has syphilis even though there are no signs or symptoms. It
remains in the body, and it may begin to damage the internal
organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels,
liver, bones, and joints. This internal damage may show up many
years later in the late or tertiary stage of syphilis. Late
stage signs and symptoms include not being able to coordinate
muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness and
dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.
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