According to The Merck Manuals, Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is most often transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact. Syphilis can also pass from an infected pregnant woman to her unborn child. If left untreated, syphilis can progress and cause damage various parts of the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in United States, health officials reported about 34,000 cases of syphilis in 2006, including 9,756 cases of primary and secondary stages of syphilis. Some of the common symptoms of syphilis pain during sex, loss of appetite, swollen lymph glands and paralysis.
Pain During Sex
Pain during sex or intercourse may be experienced by a patient with syphilis. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syphilis can cause pain during sex due to the presence of ulcers, along with inflammation on the genital organs.
Loss of Appetite
TheBody.com reports that patients suffering from syphilis can experience loss of appetite. This loss of appetite occurs due to neurological disturbances causing an imbalance in the appetite center in the brain. Appetite center is the main center for controlling appetite in an organism.
Swollen Lymph Glands
Syphilis results in enlarged or swollen lymph glands. The Kids Health reports that the syphilis bacterium enters the blood and spreads through the body to reach lymph glands, causing infection. This infection causes enlarged or swollen lymph glands in the patients suffering from syphilis. Lymph glands produce lymph and lymphocytes in the body. Lymph glands are mainly present in the neck, underarm and groin.
Paralysis
According to MayoClinic.com, syphilis can cause paralysis of limbs. It can also cause loss of muscle movement coordination. This occurs when the syphilis bacteria invades the central nervous system. The Merck Manuals states that in advanced forms of syphilis, it can enter the brain, affect the nerves controlling the eyes and result in blindness.
