What are the transmission routes of syphilis? What principles should be followed to prevent syphilis

Syphilis is a chronic, systemic transmission disease caused by pallidum (syphilis) spirochetes. Mainly transmitted through sexual channels, it can be clinically manifested as primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis, latent syphilis, congenital syphilis, etc.

What are the transmission routes of syphilis?

Syphilis is highly contagious, and the transmission routes can be divided into two types: direct contact and non-sexual contact. Many people do not go to irregular places and feel incredible about having syphilis. The main transmission routes of syphilis are as follows.

1. Sexual contact transmission

More than 90% of syphilis in clinical practice is transmitted through sexual contact with syphilitic patients. The methods of sexual contact include sexual intercourse, hot kisses, and skin contact hugs. Due to the thin skin mucosa and abundant blood vessels in the genital area of the human body, sexual intercourse is in an extremely congested state. Sexual friction can cause minor damage, creating conditions for the invasion of syphilis pallidum.

2. Indirect contact transmission

Contact with objects used by syphilis patients, such as clothing, blankets, items, supplies, tools, toilets, bath towels, etc., may be contaminated by the patient's secretions and infect the pale spirochete of syphilis. Even healthy individuals who live closely with syphilis patients are prone to contracting syphilis when they come into contact with objects contaminated with pathogenic bacteria through minor wounds.

3. Bloodborne transmission

Syphilis has a longer course of disease, and Treponema pallidum can lurk in the patient's blood for a period of time. Especially for patients with latent syphilis, who are infected with pathogens but have no clinical manifestations, healthy individuals and other disease patients can be infected with syphilis by inputting blood and blood products provided.

4. Placental transmission

When pregnant women are infected with syphilis, they can be infected through the placenta during pregnancy. Pregnant women suffer from syphilis, which is not detected and treated in a timely manner or is not treated thoroughly. Treponema pallidum can be transmitted to the fetus through the blood circulation of the placenta, causing the fetus to be infected with syphilis. Placental transmission mainly occurs during early syphilis in pregnant women. When the fetus passes through an infected birth canal with syphilis, the pallidum pallidum in the birth canal can infect the fetus, leading to the transmission of syphilis in newborns and the onset of the disease.

What principles should be followed to prevent syphilis

1. Patients with syphilis should first have a history of unclean sexual intercourse. To prevent syphilis, one should abide by ethical standards, strictly prohibit promiscuity, and avoid unclean sexual behavior.