Syphilis and Pregnancy Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is the causative organism of syphilis?
Treponema Pallidum
How is syphilis transmitted?
Direct contact with skin lesion (usually sexual contact)
How is syphilis treated?
With a course of antibiotics
What abnormalities can syphilis cause?
Neurogenic
Cardiac
Skeletal
Skin
How can syphilis be acquired more than once?
A past infection of syphilis doesn’t produce antibodies
How does pregnancy affect the disease course of syphilis?
It doesn’t
Who should be offered prompt treatment for syphilis?
Women who:
develop syphilis while pregnant
Become pregnant while infected with syphilis
What fetal complications can a syphilis infection increase the risk of?
Miscarriage Stillbirth Hydrops fetalis Growth restriction Congenital infection
How can syphilis be transmitted to a baby?
Trans-placentally
Via exposure to an affected lesion at the time of birth
What treatment would you give a woman who is found to have syphilis?
Intramuscular penicillin
How does congenital syphilis present at birth?
Asymptomatically
When do symptoms of syphilis usually present?
Within 5 weeks
What is the commonly found group of symptoms in a neonate called?
Hutchinson’s triad
What does Hutchinson’s triad consist of?
Deafness
Interstitial keratosis
Hutchinson’s teeth-widely spaced, peg-like
How does primary syphilis present?
With a painless ulcer called a chancre
What happens if a chancre is left untreated?
It can progress to secondary syphilis in 4-10 weeks
What can happen if secondary syphilis is left untreated?
It can progress to tertiary syphilis
