STDs: What Are They and How Do You Get Them?
Amid STD Epidemic In The US, A Rise In Symptoms Of Eye Syphilis: What Is It?
The CDC warns that without treatment, syphilis can spread to the brain and nervous system (neurosyphilis), the eye (ocular syphilis), or the ear (otosyphilis). (Photo: Freepik) According to news reports, patients have recently started to complain of vision and eye problems, headaches and hearing loss or dizziness caused by the sexually transmitted infection syphilis.In the US, there is a current epidemic of syphilis amid which, doctors are also seeing a worrisome trend of patients presenting with 'unusual vision and eye symptoms'. According to news reports, patients have recently started to complain of vision and eye problems, headaches and hearing loss or dizziness caused by the sexually transmitted infection syphilis. A CNN report stated that doctors have long known that syphilis can 'permanently damage' a person's vision and hearing, and even lead to 'psychiatric changes'. But, these symptoms are usually seen with infections that have been 'undiagnosed and untreated' for years.
In a new study presented recently at the 2024 Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference in Atlanta, researchers said there were 'more than two dozen cases with these kinds of symptoms' in Chicago last year, and a third of them were in the early stages of infections.
According to a People report, a January 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report stated that more than 2,07,000 Americans were diagnosed with syphilis, the highest reported number since the 1950s. The CDC warns that without treatment, syphilis can spread to the brain and nervous system (neurosyphilis), the eye (ocular syphilis), or the ear (otosyphilis).
What Is Syphilis And How Does It Spread?According to the CDC, syphilis is a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without treatment. Infection develops in stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), and each stage can have different signs and symptoms. One can contract syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. It can also spread from a mother to her unborn baby. Syphilis, however, does not spread through casual contact with objects like toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, sharing clothing, or eating utensils.
Signs And Symptoms Of SyphilisAs mentioned earlier, there are four stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has different signs and symptoms, the CDC states.
Primary StageYou may notice a single sore or multiple sores; the sore is the location where syphilis entered your body. These sores usually occur in, on, or around the male genitalia; vagina; anus; rectum; and lips or in the mouth. Sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless, and because they are painless, you may not notice them. They last 3 to 6 weeks and heal regardless of whether you receive treatment. But, even after the sore is gone, you must receive treatment.
Secondary StageYou may have skin rashes and/or sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus. It usually starts with a rash on one or more areas of the body. The rash can show up when the primary sore is healing or several weeks after the sore has healed. The rash can be on the palms and/or the bottoms of your feet. They are rough; red; or reddish-brown. The rash usually does not itch. Other symptoms are: fever; swollen lymph glands; sore throat; patchy hair loss; headaches; weight loss; muscle aches; and fatigue. The symptoms will go away whether you receive treatment. Without the right treatment, your infection will move to the latent and possibly tertiary stages of syphilis.
Latent StageThere are no visible signs or symptoms. Without treatment, you can continue to have syphilis in your body for years.
Most people with untreated syphilis do not develop tertiary syphilis. When it does happen, it can affect many different organs, including the heart and blood vessels, and the brain and nervous system. It is very serious and occurs 10-30 years after the infection started. Tertiary syphilis can also result in death.
Ocular Syphilis And OtosyphilisThe signs and symptoms of ocular syphilis include:
Signs and symptoms of otosyphilis may include:
Lead study author Dr Amy Nham -- who works with the Chicago Department of Public Health, told CNN: "Providers definitely need to be screening more and be aware that this is what we're seeing." The latest study findings also suggest that the most common symptoms reported by patients are 'headache', 'personality changes', 'altered mental status' and 'eye problems like vision loss, light sensitivity or eye swelling', per the outlet. "They're not the most specific symptoms, which is why it is really important that providers are doing appropriate screening and asking patients for risk factors," Nham added.
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Recognizing Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease
April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month, which make this a good time to learn about the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
An estimated 1 million people in the U.S. And more than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease, according to the American Parkinson Disease Association.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Parkinson's disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone. Early signs may be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.
Signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease include:
There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but medications can help control the symptoms, often dramatically. If you've been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, you'll need to work closely with your health care professional to find a treatment plan that offers you the greatest relief from symptoms with the fewest side effects. In more advanced cases, surgery may be advised.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: 9 Unusual Signs Your Reproductive System Has Been Compromised By Sexually Transmitted Diseases
VERIFIED Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: 9 Unusual Signs Your Reproductive System Has Been Compromised By Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases Side Effects: 9 unusual symptoms that hint at a troubled reproductive system, often due to sexually transmitted infections that pave the way for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a common infection that affects the reproductive organs of women. According to a report by the Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of India (FOGSI), 24-32% of women in India are affected by PID. The process normally entails a bacterial infection at the vagina and cervix, and then the spread vectors of the vaginal area and the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are among the common causes of PID. Sometimes, it may also be a result of other bacteria being introduced into the reproductive system.
In this article, Dr Kshitiz Murdia, CEO & Co-Founder, Indira IVF, helps us understand the condition and the various signs and symptoms that the body can show up when you are dealing with the complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a concerning infection quite common among women. It's a deep infection in the female reproductive system and is often the result of untreated sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Specifically, PID can be a silent attacker on a woman's fertility.
According to the experts, bacterial infection is the primary driver behind PID, often coming from untreated STIs. They sneak into the reproductive system via the cervix, triggering infection and inflammation. Women with a diverse sexual historical background, past STI episodes or cases of PID, routine use of douching, or those using intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception might be more at risk.
Scroll down to know the subtle signs and symptoms that that body may show up when you are suffering from PID.
Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory DiseaseIn cases where the symptoms are less severe, many women fail to notice the occurrence of PID. The most common PID symptoms include:
If not treated, PID can severely affect fertility in women. One of the ways it impacts fertility is by scarring and damaging the fallopian tubes. The role of these tubes is crucial in the process of fertilisation as they carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, and facilitate the process of fertilisation wherein the egg and sperm fuse to form an embryo. When they are scarred or blocked, the whole fertilisation process is hindered thus, reducing the chances of conception. Another complication of PID is the development of tubo-ovarian abscesses (TOAs), which are inflammatory masses involving the ovaries and nearby pelvic organs. These abscesses can result in substantial damage to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which adds to the danger of infertility.
PID is also linked to a higher chance of an ectopic pregnancy, which is the implantation of an embryo in a position other than the uterus, usually one of the fallopian tubes. Unviable ectopic pregnancies can pose serious health risks for the woman. Moreover, some women may develop chronic pelvic pain as a result of PID, and this can result in poor life quality and might hinder with fertility in the future.
Essential Preventive Strategies You Should KnowPreventing PID is crucial for protecting fertility. Practicing safe intercourse with the use of physical barriers such as condoms, as well as regular STI screenings may help prevent PID. Moreover, proactive screening of chlamydia in young and sexually active women can help them prevent PID and take measures to safeguard their reproductive health. Early detection and immediate treatment of STIs can also prevent them from advancing into PID. Preventing PID in women can help them guard their reproductive health and increase their chances of conceiving in the future.
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