“Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that sufferers often don't realize. Because of that, you should be careful when having sexual intercourse, and know the various ways of transmission.
Syphilis or also known as lion king disease is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) that occurs due to infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum. This bacterium can enter the body through contact with broken skin or mucous membranes of someone who is infected with this disease.
Generally, syphilis is most often transmitted through sexual contact. Even so, there are other ways that allow this disease to be transmitted to other people.
How Is Syphilis Transmitted?
Syphilis can be transmitted when someone comes into direct contact with a syphilis sore. Syphilis sores can be rashes or boils. Well, these sores can spread to any part of the body, especially to the intimate organs.
In order not to get infected, you need to know how syphilis is transmitted, as follows:
1. Have sex
Syphilis is more easily transmitted during the primary and secondary stages. Having unprotected sex with an infected person is the main way of transmitting syphilis.
This disease can be transmitted orally (mouth), vaginal, and even anal. If someone has syphilis sores on their genitals, and has sexual intercourse, the bacteria will very likely enter their partner's body.
What you need to remember, most people don't realize that they have this disease, because they don't know that there are injuries to their genitals. Because it is very important to have safe sexual relations, and not to change partners.
2. Kiss
Apart from sexual contact, syphilis transmission can also occur due to kissing. Syphilis sores can also occur on the lips. That is, if someone kisses a partner who has a syphilis sore, the bacteria in the wound can infect that person. Even though this case is rare, you should be careful and not underestimate this type of transmission.
3. Direct contact with syphilis sores
Syphilis sores take the form of rough, red, or reddish-brown spots that spread over exposed areas of skin. Indeed, syphilis sores do not look dangerous and are like ordinary rashes.
However, you need to avoid and never touch this wound directly. This is because the bacteria that cause syphilis can easily enter the body through skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected.
4. Transmission from pregnant women to babies
Not only adults, babies are also a group of individuals who may experience syphilis. This can happen when pregnant women are infected with the bacteria that causes syphilis. Most babies carry the disease while still in the womb, but there are also babies who contract syphilis during the birth process.
The reason is because the baby is in direct contact with the syphilis wound in the mother's sex organs. Mothers should be careful and do a syphilis test before planning a pregnancy. Risk Factors for Syphilis
Anyone who is sexually active has the potential to get syphilis, but some people may have an increased risk if:
- Men who have sex with men.
- Having sex with multiple partners.
- Pregnant or in childbearing age (15-49 years).
- Someone who treats people with syphilis.
- Infected with other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia.
Those are the various ways of transmitting syphilis that you need to know.