Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease. It is completely curable; but if you let it just be in your body, it can wreak havoc inside. It can even make you blind, damage your heart, blood vessels, and brain, and render you infertile.
Such horrible consequences of letting an absolutely curable disease go untreated!
Why people do not undergo testing
Most of the time, it is people’s ignorance of the symptoms, or maybe they don’t know that syphilis can turn into such a health catastrophe when left untreated.
Other times, it could be plain procrastination.
It could also be embarrassment.
However, with the advent of STD clinic located at easily accessible places, you must neither procrastinate nor feel embarrassed. You must simply walk into the clinic to get tested for syphilis infection in Arlington, VA. Talk to the doctor to clear your doubts about syphilis or any STD. He or she will recommend the best course of action, depending on your sexual behavior, history, current symptoms, age, and overall health.
What happens when you leave syphilis untreated?
According to doctors, you must not let a simple, curable disease enter into its last stage and create irreparable damage to your body, even death. Doctors at STD clinic can help you decipher signs of syphilis in men and women in VA.
Here’s what can happen when syphilis is left untreated:
Neurosyphilis
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. When you let this bacterium stay inside your body for a long time, it multiplies and may reach the nervous system.
You may experience symptoms like:
- Headache
- Seizures
- Dementia
- Abnormal
gait
- Concentration
troubles
- Numbness
in extremities
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Loss of vision or problem in vision
Congenital syphilis
Congenital syphilis happens in fetuses or newborns. This is a life-threatening condition. The bacterium can easily get transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her developing fetus or newborn through vaginal delivery.
As per a study, around 70 per cent of infected women are likely to infect their babies during pregnancy or delivery.
Giving birth while having syphilis infection can make terrible things happen to your newborn, such as:
- Saddle
nose (nose without bridge)
- Low birth
weight
- Fetal or
neonatal death
- Pre-term
birth
- Fever
- Watery
nasal fluid
- Rash in
the anus, genitals, or mouth
- Tiny blisters
on hands and feet that become a copper-colored flat or bumpy rash later which may
spread to the face
- Trouble gaining weight
Young kids may suffer from:
- Loss of
vision
- Loss of
hearing
- Pain in
bones
- Swelling
in joints
- Hutchinson
teeth (peg-shaped, abnormal teeth)
- Saber
shines (this is a bone disorder in lower legs)
- Gray
patches around anus and vagina
- Scars on
skin around anus, genitals, and mouth
It is wise for pregnant women to undergo syphilis test during their first pre-natal visit to save their baby from such terrible outcomes.
When it comes to STDs, avoid playing the guessing game. Instead, be sure about your sexual health status. Be more alert about syphilis infection; visit the Arlington, VA, STD clinic today.
