Syphilis is a common infectious disease, which, in the absence of qualified treatment, lasts in patients for many years, and is characterized by a wavy course, with changes in active and latent periods. In the initial stages and in the period of exacerbation, active manifestations of syphilis usually appear on the skin and mucous membranes. From the incubation period, the central nervous system and internal organs may be affected.
The latent period is characterized by the absence of clinical signs of the disease, and only the relevant serological reactions of the blood (the presence in the blood of antibodies to the pathogen of syphilis) indicate the presence of an infectious process. In some patients, after infection, syphilis may occur for a long time without any symptoms (no clinical manifestations, negative serological reactions of the blood). In the future, there may be late manifest forms of syphilis in the nervous system, internal organs, or late latent syphilis when the disease occurs without clinical manifestations or under the guise of any other disease.
Pale spirochete was discovered in 1905. Unstable in the environment but can be stored for a long time in a humid and cool environment. Under adverse living conditions (action of drugs, lack of nutrition, etc.), the pathogen can form forms of survival: cysts and L-forms. Today, in order to prevent congenital syphilis, a well-founded scientifically and practically tested set of measures are carried out, which consists of pre- and postpartum prevention. One of the most important keys to successful prevention is the detection of infection and quality treatment of women before and during pregnancy.
Detection of syphilis in a pregnant woman is not a reason to terminate the pregnancy. After birth, the child is examined by related specialists and undergoes laboratory methods of examination. If necessary, treatment is prescribed, followed by dispensary observation. Then, if a pregnant woman does not avoid treatment and does not self-medicate – as experience shows, the child is born healthy.
In 2001, a new registration system for this dangerous sexually transmitted disease was introduced in Germany. However, the growth of statistical indicators is associated, first of all, with a real increase in the number of cases and not with an improvement in the registration system. In the first months of 2003, the general upward trend continued, despite regional differences. In general, in 2002, the spread of the disease affected all federal states; Berlin and Hamburg were particularly affected. Research identifies the reason for the progressive spread of syphilis in the expansion of homosexual contacts without protection.