Syphilis is a disease caused by spirochete bacteria and is transmitted through sexual contact, and accordingly it is transmitted from mother to fetus. Syphilis can also be transmitted by direct contact with a syphilis ulcer of an infected person. These bacteria that cause syphilis are sensitive to dehydration, high temperatures, and disinfectants, and we will learn about them in our article Pregnancy and syphilis On syphilis and its risks to the mother and fetus, and many other information.

Pregnancy and syphilis

How is this disease transmitted to the fetus?

It is reported that if you have syphilis and it is not treated promptly, you can pass the infection on to your baby. Up to 2 out of 5 babies or 40 percent of women with untreated syphilis die from infection. Syphilis is transmitted from mother to fetus through road:

• blood, which travels to the placenta and from there to the fetus.
• At birth, the bacteria are transmitted directly from the mother to the fetus.

The effects of syphilis on pregnant women

Syphilis has many damages during pregnancy, including:

• The death of the fetus shortly after birth.
• Miscarriage, the fetus may die before the 20th week of pregnancy.
• Premature birth.
• Decreased fetal growth and low birth weight.
• Placenta and umbilical cord enlargement, which may harm your fetus.
• Infection of the fetus with the same disease and the emergence of many symptoms on it.

Types of syphilis

With regard to pregnancy and syphilis, there are two types of syphilis that appear during this period, and they are as follows:

Acquired syphilis

Symptoms of acquired syphilis include a rash on the mouth and in the genital area, as well as swollen lymph nodes.

Secondary syphilis

It appears approximately at the end of the second year after birth, and is characterized by the appearance of a skin rash and is located in the palms of the hand and the bottom of the feet, with enlarged lymph nodes. In addition, some rare symptoms such as interstitial hepatitis and kidney and bone problems may appear.

In laboratory analyzes it will appear that there are abnormalities and an increase in the number of white blood cells and the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells, and it also leads to anemia and the presence of an imbalance in the nervous system.

Complications of syphilis

When talking about pregnancy and syphilis, the complications of syphilis must be mentioned. In the event of infection with syphilis and not undergoing treatment, many complications may occur, including:

• Vision problems that may progress to blindness.
• Damage to the internal organs of the body.
• The occurrence of problems in the nervous system and the negative impact on the brain and spinal cord.

In the event that syphilis is discovered in the second half of pregnancy, an ultrasound examination must be performed to check on the fetus. In this case, the risks of premature birth are high, and therefore it is necessary to follow closely with the doctor to preserve your health and the health of your fetus.

How to treat syphilis

Syphilis is often treated with doses of an antibiotic called penicillin. Antibiotics relieve infections caused by bacteria, and treatment can prevent progression to the next stage, so it is important that you receive treatment as soon as the infection is discovered.

Methods of prevention of syphilis

There are many methods that can be followed to prevent syphilis, especially during pregnancy, including:

• Conducting several special tests and tests to detect syphilis before pregnancy occurs.
• Use safety devices in the event of sexual intercourse, such as condoms.

In the end, we have presented many aspects in our article about Pregnancy and syphilis In terms of its types, damages, complications, how it is transmitted from mother to fetus, as well as ways to prevent it.