life health
ⓒ News1 DB ‘Syphilis’, a sexually transmitted disease that is common worldwide, has recently become popular again in many countries. As the number of patients has steadily increased in Korea, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided to strengthen surveillance. The medical staff diagnosed that the way to prevent the spread of syphilis is to receive medical treatment if suspected, and inform sexual contacts and sexual partners if infection is confirmed, saying, “The treatment method is well prepared.”
The spread of syphilis in Japan is not abating, but it is said that diagnosis and treatment are in an emergency due to the lack of professional medical staff. It was revealed that 8,349 new syphilis patients were found in Japan by July this year. This is an increase of more than 30% from 6,385 during the same period last year.
Among Japan’s 47 prefectures (wide-area groups), there was no new syphilis patient this year, and Tokyo reported the highest number of 2,052 cases. On the other hand, there are only 479 venereal disease specialists in Japan who can diagnose and treat syphilis.
A venereal disease specialist in Japan pointed out through the local media, “The biggest problem is that you can’t get treatment even if you want to,” and “we have no choice but to focus on prevention.” The reason for the rapid increase in patients is the spread of dating applications (apps). It is a side effect of the fact that it has become easier to meet and have light encounters with an unspecified number of people.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It is mainly spread through sexual intercourse, but it is also possible through direct contact with syphilis lesions and through blood. If a pregnant woman is infected with syphilis, infection in the uterus may result in fetal infection.
According to the ‘Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Monthly Newsletter’ published by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the 17th, the number of cumulative cases of syphilis in Korea for six months until July this year was 201, a 10% increase from 189 cases in the same period last year. Syphilis will be upgraded from grade 4 to grade 3 infectious disease from 2024, changing from sample surveillance to total surveillance.
According to Kim Soo-young, a professor of dermatology at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, syphilis is divided into symptoms after infection. In the first stage, painless ulcers appear on the genital tract, and in the second stage, a generalized skin rash appears. In contact with patients with early stage 1 or 2 early syphilis, the infection rate has been reported to be 30-88% according to the literature.
The incubation period is 10 to 90 days (average 3 weeks), and there are no symptoms, but syphilis infection occurs in blood tests. In the first stage, one or several hard, centrally depressed ulcers appear on the genitals. They range in size from several millimeters to 2 cm and are characterized by painlessness. The groin lymph nodes may also enlarge.
In particular, there are cases where it is missed because it disappears naturally after 3 to 6 weeks even without treatment. At this time, after 3 to 12 weeks (up to 6 months), proceed to the second stage. A rash appears all over the body, and may be accompanied by symptoms of fever, joint pain, and meningitis. Stage 1 or 2 early syphilis is highly contagious and can infect others. Sexual contact and intercourse should be avoided.
As the third stage progresses over several years to decades, skin, nervous system, and cardiovascular symptoms are revealed. It causes serious damage by forming benign rubber tumors on the skin or invading the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Invasion of the cardiovascular system can lead to death.
Professor Kim Soo-young explained, “I meet many patients with syphilis at the dermatology department, and the most common and clear symptoms of syphilis appear on the skin.
In the case of primary syphilis, within 90 days, in the case of secondary syphilis, within 6 months to 1 year, sexual contact and sexual partners must be notified of the fact and have them receive specialist treatment for syphilis infection. If you have syphilis, a blood test will come out positive after 4 weeks. All patients diagnosed with syphilis are also tested for other STDs.
“To prevent syphilis, safe sex life and regular STD check-ups are the most important,” said Kim Kyung-tae, director of Samsung Plus Urology Department, a specialist in urology. It is advised not to come in contact with the blood or body fluids of syphilis patients.”
Director Kim said, “Because it is well treated with penicillin injection, if you suspect syphilis infection after sexual intercourse, it is good to see a specialist in urology even if you do not have symptoms. If it is detected early, it is one injection, but the more delayed the treatment, the more injections are needed.”
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2023-08-23 09:08:16
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