Medieval STI has returned: Changed symptoms, new strain and what else we know about it

Health experts in the US have expressed concerns that a medieval sexually transmitted infection has returned. It can trigger brain damage and hair loss. It has emerged in a shocking outbreak afflicting individuals' eyes. An outbreak has spread via five women's eyes who slept with the same man.

Ocular syphilis

Confirming it, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said in its report, "A cluster of five cases of ocular syphilis in women with a common male sex partner was identified in Michigan, US, suggesting that an unidentified Treponema pallidum strain might have been a risk factor for developing systemic manifestations of syphilis."

New strain of syphilis bacterium

As syphilis is generally spread via direct skin-to-skin contact, it has increased concern that it's a new strain of syphilis bacterium. The UK has witnessed an unprecedented surge of syphilis cases, which are at a 75-year peak.

Symptoms tend to change

Another challenge the health officials are facing is that sometimes syphilis is subtle and difficult to diagnose. Experts at Condoms UK, a leading organization in sexual health, said, "Syphilis symptoms tend to change over time, making them tricky to identify. Common signs include painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, or hands, along with white or grey warty growths and rashes on the palms or soles."

They also said that some people may experience flu-like symptoms, swollen glands and patchy hair loss, which might not appear until weeks after being exposed. But, if it is left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe health issues. It can also cause heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm or heart failure.

Distinct symptoms

The experts at Condomn UK have warned that in the case of ocular syphilis, distinct symptoms include pain, redness, floating spots, sensitivity to light and blurred or loss of vision. It also said that what makes syphilis particularly concerning is that even if symptoms improve or disappear, the infection remains in your body, putting you at risk of spreading it and developing serious problems later on.

FAQs:

Why the UK health experts are upset over the spread of syphilis?
The UK has witnessed an unprecedented surge of syphilis cases, which are at a 75-year peak. Another matter of concern is that a new strain of syphilis bacterium has emerged in the country.

What are the general symptoms of syphilis and what damage it can cause?
Syphilis patients may experience flu-like symptoms, swollen glands and patchy hair loss, which might not appear until weeks after being exposed. If it is left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe health issues. It can also cause heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm, or heart failure.