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Can Syphilis Be Transmitted Through Kissing?
Question: Hello Doctor,,I have a general question about Syphilis. If a person kisses or do suck a syphilis infected person, is there chances that the second person got infected or it only spreads through anal? Thanks in advance
Brief Answer:
Mode of transmission of syphilis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
T. pallidum causative organism of syphilis can penetrate intact mucous membranes or microscopic abrasions in skin .
It is thus transmissible by kissing near a lesion, as well as oral (sucking genitals having lesion), vaginal, and anal sex.
Nearly all cases of syphilis are acquired by sexual contact with infectious lesions [i.e., the chancre, mucous patch, skin rash, or condylomata XXXXXXX ).
Less common modes of transmission include nonsexual personal contact, infection in utero, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation.
Hence anal sex is not the only mode of transmission of syphilis .
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Mode of transmission of syphilis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
T. pallidum causative organism of syphilis can penetrate intact mucous membranes or microscopic abrasions in skin .
It is thus transmissible by kissing near a lesion, as well as oral (sucking genitals having lesion), vaginal, and anal sex.
Nearly all cases of syphilis are acquired by sexual contact with infectious lesions [i.e., the chancre, mucous patch, skin rash, or condylomata XXXXXXX ).
Less common modes of transmission include nonsexual personal contact, infection in utero, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation.
Hence anal sex is not the only mode of transmission of syphilis .
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Do the TPHA showing positive results confirms the person is syphilis infected? what test determines the stage of syphilis infection?
Brief Answer:
T. pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test & stages of syphilis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
The T. pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test has a very high positive predictive value for diagnosis of syphilis.However this treponemal serologic test may give false-positive results at rates as high as 1–2%.
Hence this test is read in conjuction with The fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) .
Since there is possibility of Biological false-positive tests for syphilis,interpretation requires historical and clinical evaluation and if serological tests are negative but there is clinical suspicion of syphilis retest in one month.
Stages of syphilis:-
Primary syphilis:
Both nontreponemal (VDRL/Venereal Disease Research Laboratory & RPR/the rapid plasma reagin ) and treponemal tests (TPHA) may be nonreactive in early primary syphilis, although treponemal tests are slightly more sensitive (85–90%) during this stage than nontreponemal tests (80%).
The fluorescent treponemal antibody–absorbed (FTA-ABS) test are more sensitive for primary syphilis .
Secondary syphilis:
All tests (VDRL ,RPR & TPHA,FTA-ABS)are reactive during secondary syphilis.
Late syphilis (tertiary syphilis):
VDRL and RPR sensitivity and titers may decline in untreated persons with late latent or late syphilis, but treponemal tests such as TPHA remain sensitive in these stages.
The VDRL test remains the standard for examining CSF for Neurosyphilis (Traditionally, neurosyphilis has been considered a late manifestation of syphilis).
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
T. pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test & stages of syphilis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
The T. pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test has a very high positive predictive value for diagnosis of syphilis.However this treponemal serologic test may give false-positive results at rates as high as 1–2%.
Hence this test is read in conjuction with The fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) .
Since there is possibility of Biological false-positive tests for syphilis,interpretation requires historical and clinical evaluation and if serological tests are negative but there is clinical suspicion of syphilis retest in one month.
Stages of syphilis:-
Primary syphilis:
Both nontreponemal (VDRL/Venereal Disease Research Laboratory & RPR/the rapid plasma reagin ) and treponemal tests (TPHA) may be nonreactive in early primary syphilis, although treponemal tests are slightly more sensitive (85–90%) during this stage than nontreponemal tests (80%).
The fluorescent treponemal antibody–absorbed (FTA-ABS) test are more sensitive for primary syphilis .
Secondary syphilis:
All tests (VDRL ,RPR & TPHA,FTA-ABS)are reactive during secondary syphilis.
Late syphilis (tertiary syphilis):
VDRL and RPR sensitivity and titers may decline in untreated persons with late latent or late syphilis, but treponemal tests such as TPHA remain sensitive in these stages.
The VDRL test remains the standard for examining CSF for Neurosyphilis (Traditionally, neurosyphilis has been considered a late manifestation of syphilis).
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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