What is Syphilis and what are some of the symptoms associated with it?
Syphilis is rare, but can have devastating effects. Its first symptom is a painless hard chancre (sore) that heals on its own in two to six weeks. When syphilis spreads to the blood symptoms may include a rash on the hands and soles of the feet, growths on the penis and vulva, and swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes several years later syphilis can cause visual disturbances, weakening of the feet, and large skin abscesses. If syphilis is passed to a fetus during pregnancy, major birth defects, including stillbirth, can occur. How can Syphilis be diagnosed and prevented? Blood tests can diagnose syphilis, and antibiotics can cure it. All pregnant women should be screened for this disease. Condom use can help prevent its spread. What are Genital Warts? Common among young adults, human papilloma virus (HPV) causes genital warts and is the main cause of abnormal Pap smears in women. What are symptoms of Genital Warts? The virus can also produce warty growths on the penis, vulva, perineum (skin
