Lues

Lues

Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes Lues

Lues, also known as syphilis, is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease has been known by many names throughout history and is often referred to as "the great imitator" due to its wide variety of symptoms.

Symptoms and stages

Lues is typically divided into three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary stage

The primary stage of Lues is usually marked by the appearance of a single sore, known as a chancre, but there may be multiple sores. The time between infection with T. pallidum and the first symptoms of primary Lues is typically 21 days, but can range from 10 to 90 days.

Secondary stage

The secondary stage of Lues starts with a rash that usually appears on the palms of the hands or the bottoms of the feet. Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, hair loss, headaches, weight loss, and fatigue.

Tertiary stage

The tertiary stage of Lues can occur years or decades after the initial infection. The most common problems associated with tertiary Lues are heart abnormalities and infection of the brain and spinal cord, known as neurosyphilis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Lues is typically made by blood tests. The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) and the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test are commonly used to screen for the disease.

Treatment

Lues is easy to cure in its early stages with the appropriate antibiotics, typically penicillin. For those allergic to penicillin, doxycycline or tetracycline may be used instead.

Prevention

Prevention of Lues is primarily by safe sex and the use of condoms. Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections is also recommended for those at risk.

See also

• Sexually transmitted infection
• History of syphilis
• Tuskegee syphilis experiment