Are you thinking about parenting an older child or a teenager from the foster care system? Then be prepared to talk openly about sex and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Teenagers in foster care are more likely than their peers to be sexually active are and less likely to use protection.

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Often called “the great imitator,” syphilis is sometimes indistinguishable from other diseases, because of the many common signs and symptoms.

There were over 32,000 cases of syphilis reported by health officials in the United States in 2002, and half of those reports were from 16 counties and 1 city. Most cases of syphilis reported were in individuals between 20 and 39 years of age. Congenital syphilis in newborns seemed to decrease about 16 percent from 2001 to 2002.

Rates of syphilis in gay men seem to be on the rise, while rates in women continue to decrease. Men are 3.5 times more likely to contract syphilis than women are and most of the infected men are in their mid to late 30s.

Direct contact with syphilis sores is required for transmission of the disease. The sores are mainly located on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. However, they can also occur on the lips and in the mouth. Infected pregnant women also pass the disease on to their unborn children. A person cannot contract syphilis through touching toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

Most transmission of the disease occurs from persons who don’t realize they are infected. This is because many infected people do not have symptoms for years. However, they remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated.

The appearance of a single sore called a chancre usually is the only indication of the primary stage of syphilis, although there may be multiple sores. First symptoms can occur anywhere from 10 to 90 days after being infected with syphilis, but the average is 21 days. The chancre appears at the location where syphilis entered the body and is usually firm, round, small, and painless. The chancre lasts from three to six weeks and heals without treatment.

You can see how easy it would be to not notice. Unfortunately, if you don’t notice and seek adequate treatment the infection progresses to the secondary stage.

The second stage usually begins with the development of a rash that doesn’t itch on one or more areas of the body. Either the rashes signifying the second stage of syphilis can appear as the chancre is healing or several weeks after it has healed. Rough, red, or reddish brown spots on the palms and the bottoms of the feet are the characteristic rash of secondary syphilis.

However, rashes can sometimes be so faint that they aren’t noticed or they can resemble rashes caused by other diseases. Other symptoms of secondary syphilis may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue. These signs and symptoms will also clear up with or without treatment, unfortunately without treatment; syphilis will progress to the latent and late stages of disease.

The latent or hidden stage of syphilis starts when secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the infection remains in the body and the infected person will continue to have syphilis even though there are no signs or symptoms.

The late stages of untreated syphilis may damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. Late signs and symptoms may include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, dementia, and possibly death.

Syphilis may be diagnosed by examining material from a chancre or by a blood test that can detect syphilis antibodies. A low level of antibodies can possibly stay in the blood for years after the disease has been successfully treated.

Syphilis can be cured. In a person has had the infection for less than a year, a single intramuscular injection of penicillin will cure the disease. Additional doses are required if someone has had syphilis for more than a year. While treatment will prevent syphilis from doing further damage to your body, it will not repair the damage already done.

An article in the Child Welfare League of America contained the following information about teenagers in foster care and sex.

“In one major study on sexual activity among youths in foster care, it reported that 41.1% had had intercourse, 40.5% were recently sexually active, and 56.8% had intercourse while in the current family foster home.
In a 1992 survey, 86% of all teens age 15 and older in the custody of the Vermont Department of Social and Rehabilitate Services reported that they were sexually active….reported that of the sexually active teens in foster care, only 38% reported using any type of contraceptive regularly.

Abstinence is the surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis. Condoms are not 100 percent effective because genital ulcers can be hidden in genital areas that are not covered. However, correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of syphilis.

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American Social Health Association (ASHA)
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Herpes - Common STDs Your Teenager Should Know About
Chlamydia - Common STDs Your Teenager Should Know About
Genital HPV Infection - Common STDs Your Teenager Should Know About
Gonorrhea - Common STDs Your Teenager Should Know About
Immunization for Cervical Cancer
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