Syphilis STD Tests

According to the CDC, the spread of syphilis decreased significantly in the 1990s, new cases started to rise again in 2001 and continue to do so today.

Syphilis is one of the most well known and oldest sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted infections. History alludes to many well known famous figures suspected of having syphilis. Until penicillin was discovered, there was not an effective cure; therefore, many carried the disease through all three stages, eventually becoming insane. Syphilis is best known for causing insanity, but what many don't realize is that this STD/STI can damage the heart, aorta, brain, eyes and bones.

Stage 1 (10 to 90 days - 21 days on average)

• A sore, commonly called a chancre occurs in the genital area and occasionally on other parts of the body
• Sometimes local swelling of lymph nodes will occur

Stage 2 (1 to 6 months - usually 6-8 weeks)

• Rash - red or reddish brown non-itchy patches on the palms of the hands, bottoms of the feet, or on the trunk of the body.
• Mucous patches on the genitals or in the mouth
• Flu-like symptoms

Stage 3 (10 - 20 years after infection is acquired)

• Few outward signs
• Gummas (soft tumor-like balls) occasionally form on body and skeleton
• Unseen damage can occur to liver, eyes, blood vessels, brain, heart, bones and joints.
• Gradual blindness
• Uncoordinated muscle movements
• Paralysis
• Dementia
• Death

• http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/229461-overview
• http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/syphilis
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syphilis
• http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/syphilis/test.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm