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Syphilis in pregnant women is a dangerous disease that can be transmitted to the fetus. This can have an impact on the growth and development of the fetus, and even increase the risk of experiencing birth defects. Therefore, this disease needs to be detected and treated as early as possible in pregnant women, so that the risk of problems with the pregnancy and fetus can be reduced.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease which is also known as the lion king. This disease is caused by infection with the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Transmission of syphilis can occur through sexual intercourse, either oral sex or penetrative sex through the vagina or anus. This disease can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, but is relatively rare.
Syphilis can occur in anyone who is sexually active, including pregnant women. So, you need to be careful about syphilis in pregnant women because it can have a bad impact on pregnancy. This disease is known to increase the risk of premature birth, miscarriage, the baby dies in the womb, or defects in the baby.
Symptoms of Syphilis in Pregnant Women
Syphilis in pregnant women may not cause symptoms and can only be discovered through laboratory examination, especially for syphilis that has entered the latent phase. Therefore, pregnant women are often advised to undergo syphilis screening from the first trimester of pregnancy. This examination is even recommended to be carried out before the wedding, namely as part of the premarital check up.
Well, this disease infection is divided into 4 stages with different symptoms. The following are syphilis symptoms based on stage of infectionin pregnant women:
Primary syphilis
After 10–90 days of exposure to the bacteria that cause syphilis, a person can experience symptoms of syphilis in the early stages or also called primary syphilis. These symptoms begin with the appearance of a wound (chancre) which is not felt around the genitals, anus, or mouth. Because it doesn't hurt, this symptom often goes unnoticed.
The sores generally disappear on their own after 3–6 weeks. However, this does not mean that sufferers are completely cured of syphilis, because sufferers can still transmit this disease.
In fact, healing of wounds caused by syphilis indicates that this condition has progressed to the next stage. If not treated, primary syphilis in pregnant women has a high risk of transmitting to the fetus, and can progress and become more difficult to cure.
Secondary syphilis
In about 2–12 weeks after the sores disappear, syphilis will enter the second stage. So, pregnant women who experience syphilis at this stage will experience symptoms in the form of:
- A rash appears on the body, chest, neck, then spreads to the palms of the hands and feet
- Fever
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Muscle pain
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin or neck
Just like in the primary stage, the symptoms of syphilis at this stage can also heal on their own without treatment, but that doesn't mean that the bacteria that cause syphilis in pregnant women have disappeared. If not treated, syphilis at this stage also has a high risk of being transmitted to the fetus and can cause defects or even death of the fetus.
Latent syphilis
Untreated syphilis will reach a latent stage. Pregnant women who experience this stage of syphilis may not experience symptoms even though the infection has occurred for years.
Entering this stage, syphilis becomes increasingly difficult to treat. However, for pregnant women, doctors will try to provide the best treatment possible so that the bacteria that cause syphilis are weakened, so that it does not have much impact on the growth and development of the fetus. At this stage, the risk of transmitting syphilis from the pregnant mother to the fetus is also smaller, but it can still occur.
Tertiary syphilis
This is the most dangerous stage of syphilis infection. Generally, this stage occurs within 10-30 years after a person is exposed to the bacteria that cause syphilis. In the tertiary stage, syphilis can cause fatal and permanent organ damage to the sufferer's body, for example the brain, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
It is important to know that in pregnant women, any stage of syphilis can be transmitted to the fetus. This can interfere with the fetal development process, which can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and stillbirth.
How to Prevent Syphilis in Pregnant Women
To prevent syphilis infection in pregnant women, it is important to practice healthy and safe sexual relations, namely using condoms, not changing partners, and ensuring that sexual partners do not suffer from syphilis or other sexually transmitted infections.
Therefore, pregnant women should be screened for syphilis as early as possible, even before planning a pregnancy. Apart from that, pregnant women also need to have regular pregnancy check-ups and tell their doctor if they have a history of risky sex which could potentially be a source of transmission of syphilis to pregnant women.
If the pregnant woman or her partner has a history of risky sexual relations, it is best to have a premarital examination, especially a VDRL, to detect syphilis. This applies especially if the pregnant woman or partner experiences the symptoms of syphilis mentioned above.
If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with syphilis, treatment needs to be given immediately. To treat this condition, doctors can prescribe antibiotics to eradicate the germs that cause syphilis in pregnant women.
It is important to do this treatment as early as possible, ideally when syphilis is still in its early stages. That way, the risk of transmitting syphilis from a pregnant mother to her fetus can be reduced. This treatment also needs to be given to sexual partners of pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis.
During treatment, pregnant women are advised not to have sexual relations with their partners to prevent transmission or repeated infections.
After treatment ends, pregnant women who have syphilis still need to have regular blood tests to ensure that the infection has completely healed. Apart from that, fetal growth and development also needs to continue to be monitored through routine examinations during pregnancy.
By preventing transmission of syphilis, pregnant women help protect their fetus from congenital syphilis which can affect its growth and development. Therefore, don't miss screening with a doctor or routine check-ups during pregnancy, okay?
Pregnant women should also not underestimate the slightest complaints that arise during pregnancy. To find out the cause and treatment, Bumi can consult a doctor via Chat with a Doctor to get a quick answer.
Label : Family
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