On 12/8, a representative of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases reported that the patient, after being examined and tested at the Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic, was diagnosed with secondary syphilis – a highly contagious stage where the disease begins to affect the entire body. The unusual sore on his penis appeared over a month prior but healed on its own after a few days, leading him to believe it wasn't serious.
Typically, in the primary stage, syphilis presents as a small, painless sore on the genitals, anus, or mouth, making it easily overlooked. In the secondary stage, patients develop a red rash, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and hair loss, which can be mistaken for other dermatological conditions.
Without treatment, syphilis can progress to latent syphilis, tertiary syphilis, neurosyphilis, or cardiovascular syphilis, causing paralysis, blindness, dementia, and even death. Pregnant women with syphilis can transmit the disease to their unborn children, resulting in congenital syphilis, birth defects, or stillbirth.
The hospital has recently seen a rise in syphilis cases, especially among men who have sex with men. Recently, a 26-year-old man who sought treatment for papules and sores on his body was also diagnosed with tertiary syphilis and HIV.
Syphilis is a chronic bacterial infection primarily spread through unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) caused by the bacterium *Treponema pallidum*. The disease progresses through several stages and can persist silently for years, often without noticeable symptoms for extended periods. Everyone is at risk of contracting syphilis, particularly men who have sex with men, individuals with multiple partners, those who engage in unprotected sex, and people who have had other sexually transmitted infections.
Syphilis can be prevented by practicing safe sex and avoiding multiple partners. Using condoms helps reduce the risk of transmission. Regular health checkups are crucial for early detection and treatment. Avoid contact with sores from infected individuals and refrain from sharing personal items like towels and razors.
Le Phuong
