Only sexual contact can spread syphilis, do you think so too in front of the screen? In fact, that’s not true. Wang Hua (pseudonym), 64, unfortunately contracted syphilis by inadvertently using items previously used by a syphilis patient.
In search of professional treatment, Wang Hua anxiously came to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Changchun City, where both Chinese and Western medicine are integrated (Nine Healing Zone). According to Nurse Wang Manyi, after the patient’s diagnosis with syphilis, the doctor performed syphilis eradication treatment. Currently, the patient’s condition is stable and undergoing further treatment.
Syphilis is highly infectious
Syphilis is a terrible disease, to stay away from it, one must first understand it. Syphilis is a chronic, systemic sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum infection in the human body. It is highly infectious and can cause damage to multiple systems and organs of the body, leading to tissue destruction, functional abnormalities, and even life-threatening conditions.
There are 4 ways to transmit syphilis:
1. Sexual contact transmission
Over 95% of syphilis infections are through risky or unprotected sexual activities.
2. Indirect infection
Contact with items contaminated by secretions from syphilis patients, such as clothing, towels, bed sheets, razors, etc.
3. Blood transmission
Infection through blood transfusion, contaminated needles, surgical instruments, etc.
4. Mother-to-child transmission
Mother with syphilis infecting the newborn.
Preventive measures to remember quickly:
1. Safe sexual behavior
Proper use of condoms, and maintain a relatively stable sexual partner.
2. Regular hospital visits
Avoid contact with blood contaminated with Treponema pallidum.
3. Blocking mother-to-child transmission
If diagnosed with syphilis during pregnancy, seek medical attention promptly, cooperate with the doctor to prevent syphilis infection in the fetus. After delivery, follow medical advice to avoid breastfeeding, reduce close contact, and lower the baby’s infection risk.
4. Personal hygiene awareness
Do not share towels, toothbrushes, razors, or other personal items with others, and have dental extractions, tattoos, ear piercings, foot care, etc. done in formal establishments.
Syphilis patient considerations:
1. Avoid sexual activities
Since syphilis is mainly transmitted through sexual activities, syphilis patients are the main sources of transmission. Patients need to cut off the transmission route, maintain personal hygiene, avoid sexual activities during treatment to prevent transmitting Treponema pallidum to sexual partners.
2. Dietary considerations
During treatment, syphilis patients are advised to eat foods rich in vitamins, such as kiwi, mango, apples, to provide nutrition, boost immunity; avoid spicy, greasy, and irritating foods.
3. Personal hygiene awareness
During treatment, syphilis patients need to wash their underwear, towels, and personal items separately and timely, boil and disinfect them, keep them separate to prevent infecting others.
4. Active treatment
Syphilis patients need to follow medical instructions for drug treatment. If allergic to penicillin-based drugs, they can use ceftriaxone sodium injections, doxycycline tablets, etc., for treatment.
5. Regular follow-ups
After being cured of syphilis, patients still need to go for regular check-ups to the venereal clinic according to medical advice, as syphilis has a high recurrence possibility. Therefore, regular follow-ups help detect syphilis recurrence. Additionally, syphilis patients need to maintain a positive mindset, avoid excessive self-pity, and avoid donating blood, etc. During treatment, it is recommended to take adequate rest, avoid heavy physical labor, not engage in vigorous exercise for long periods, as this helps enhance one’s disease resistance and promotes disease recovery.
