PRESENTATION ON
SYPHILIS
BY GROUP FIVE
MEMBERS
PRESENTATION
CONTENT
Meaning of syphilis Diagnosis evaluation
Mode of transmission Management of syphilis
Clinical manifestation • nursing management
Primary syphilis • Medical management
Secondary syphilis Patient education
Late(tertiary syphilis)
WHAT IS
SYPHILIS
Syphilis is a chronic infectious multisystem disease caused by
Treponema pallidum (a spirochete).It is acquired by sexual contact
(oral and anal sex ) ,contaminated blood products and
Transplacentally. It primarily affects the genitals ,skin and mucous
membranes but can progress to affect various organs and system if
left untreated. The infected person often does not know they have
the disease and passes it on to their sexual Spouses or partners.
Syphilis progresses through several stages , each with it’s own set of
Symptoms. There may be chancre at the site where the bacteria
entered the body.
CAUSATIVE ORGANISM ; Treponema pallidum is known for it’s ability
to invade the immune system and it’s ability to cause serious
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
Related activities (vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral sex,
close contact with infected skin or mucous membranes.
Mother –to – child Transmission during pregnancy or childbirth
(congenital syphilis )
Blood transfusion (rare)
Sharing needles or syringes
Direct contact with an infected person’s lesion
CLINICAL
MANIFESTATION
Syphilis is capable of destroying tissue in almost any organ in the
body .It thus produces a wide variety of clinical manifestations.
Syphilis is divided into chronological stages ,which include
INCUBATION PERIOD ; These is the period between exposure to the
bacteria and appearances of symptoms. This stage can last for
several weeks or months and during this time , the individual may
not exhibit any symptoms or may experience a latent infection
without any noticeable signs.
1. 10-90 days, average 21 days.
2. No symptoms or lesions.
3. Spirochetaemia is present ;the patient ‘s blood Is infected
The first sign of syphilis is a small sore, called the chancre (shang-hurl) . the sore
appears at the site where the bacteria entered the body .An infected person develops
only one chancre whiles some people develops several of them. Many people who
have syphilis don’t notice the chancre because it usually painless and it may be
hidden within the vaginal or rectum. The chancre will heal on it’s own within six weeks
Most infectious stage ; lasting 1-6 weeks
Manifestation include
o Chancre or primary sore, a painless ulcer, appears at the site where the treponema
enter the body (genitalia ,anorectal area ,lips, oral cavity, fingers) which is
generally relate primary sore can be found
o Enlargement of regional lymph nodes
o Chancre becomes eroded and Heals after 4-6 days ,leaving a small scar in some
patient, no Primary sore can be found
PRIMARY
SYPHILIS
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SECONDARY
SYPHILIS
Within a few weeks of original chancre healing, individuals with the disease may
experience a rash that begins on the trunk, which eventually covers the entire body,
the palms of the infected person and sore at the feet. This rash is usually not itchy but
may be accompanied by wart-like sores in the mouth or genital area. Some people
also experience muscle aches, fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes . The
secondary stage follows onset of chancre by 9-90 days, this is the stage of systemic
involvement as treponema spread throughout the body.
Signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis include,
a) Influenza - like syndromes; headaches, lacrimation nasal discharge, sore
throat ,generalized arthralgia, rise in temperature, generalized lymphadenopathy.
b) Generalized skin eruption ; maculopapular rash, bilaterally symmetric in distribution,
polymorphous(macular, popular, follicular, pustular )
c) Moist papules occur most frequently in the anogenital region (condylomata ) and in
SECONDARY
SYPHILIS
LATE (TERTIARY)
SYPHILIS
About 15 to 30 percent of people infected with syphilis who don’t get
treatment will develop complications known as late or tertiary syphilis . In
the late stages , the disease may damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart,
blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. These problems may occur many
years after the original untreated infection (primary and secondary
syphilis)
this is the clinical destructive stage after latent period.
Manifestation may occur 10-30 days after exposure ;recovery
unpredictable.
Granulomatous lesions appear on the skin, bones, liver, cardiovascular
system and the central nervous system.
SYPHILIS
DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
Dark field examination and direct fluorescent antibody tests on
lesions or tissue definitive methods .
Presumptive diagnosis is possible by using two types of serologic
tests for syphilis.
a) Treponema (fluorescent treponema) antibody absorbed
microhaemagglutination assay for the antibody to T-pallidum
(MHATP).
b) Non treponema (venereal disease research laboratory), rapid
plasma regain (RPR).
NURSING MANAGEMENT
Educate patient on safe sex practice
Encourage the use of condoms
Encourage treatment of a partner
Administer benzathine penicillin
Educate the patient on avoiding sex with an infected person
Listen to the heart for the murmur of the aortic regurgitation
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Benzathine penicillin G (1M) as a single season .
Other treatment schedules are available for persons with
penicillin allergies ,those who are pregnant , patient with
syphilis of more than 1 year’s duration etc.
Post –treatment follow –up is essential
PATIENT
EDUCATION
Treatment failure can occur with any regimen; patient should be re
examined at 3 and 6 months.
Early treatment is essential for pregnant women.
THANKS FOR YOUR
ATTENTION.
QUESTIONS ARE
WELCOME.
