On 28/11, a representative from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases reported on a 65-year-old patient. He initially presented to the ophthalmology department with dizziness, severe headaches, and blurred vision, prompting doctors to suspect an infectious disease. Laboratory tests confirmed the patient was positive for *Treponema pallidum*, the bacterium causing syphilis. Doctors subsequently diagnosed him with syphilitic meningitis, a form of neurosyphilis, compounded by type two diabetes.
Neurosyphilis, a severe manifestation of syphilis, presents significant treatment challenges. The patient received antibiotic treatment, and his health gradually stabilized. However, treating neurosyphilis is often prolonged and difficult because *Treponema pallidum* can deeply penetrate the central nervous system. The patient's co-existing type two diabetes further complicated treatment, slowing drug response and increasing the risk of complications. The damage to his eyes and nervous system necessitates close monitoring and continuous medication adjustments to control the infection and minimize long-term impact on vision and neurological function.
The exact cause of syphilis in this patient and the duration of his infection remain unclear. Generally, syphilis is transmitted through unsafe sexual contact, blood transfusions, and from mother to child. Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Kim Thu, Head of the General Infectious Diseases Department, emphasized that this disease is typically associated with unsafe sexual practices and predominantly affects younger individuals.
Syphilis progresses through three stages: the latent stage, the stage where skin and mucous membrane lesions appear, and the stage where spirochetes have invaded and localized in internal organs. When *Treponema pallidum* attacks the brain or spinal cord, it damages the central nervous system, leading to dangerous symptoms. Patients experience declining health and may face life-threatening consequences if not treated promptly.
Doctors recommend several preventive measures to mitigate the risk of syphilis and its progression. These include maintaining a safe sexual lifestyle, consistently using condoms during sexual activity, practicing monogamy, and avoiding sharing personal items that may come into contact with bodily fluids. Limiting alcohol and stimulants is also advised to prevent unsafe sexual behavior. Pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis should immediately inform their doctor for treatment guidance and to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Regular health check-ups every six months or as scheduled by a doctor, combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, are crucial for boosting immunity. The disease carries a risk of reinfection, so patients must adhere strictly to their treatment regimen and preventive measures. If suspicious symptoms appear or after high-risk exposure, individuals should seek hospital examination and inform their partners for joint screening to prevent progression to neurosyphilis.
Thuy Quynh
