Return of syphilis disease in Germany

More and more people get syphilis in Germany

04/12/2014

For a long time, the venereal disease syphilis was hardly common in Germany, but for several years, there has been an increase in the number of diseases, reports the German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM). Especially men and women who have unprotected intercourse with different partners should therefore pay more attention to possible symptoms. Because with early diagnosis, the disease is relatively easy to treat. According to doctors, however, "the symptoms are unspecific for a very long time, so that the diagnosis is often late".

According to DGIM, more than 5,000 syphilis cases were registered at the Robert Koch Institute in 2013. In 2009, the number was still around 3,000 cases ... „After syphilis infections only occasionally occurred in Germany, their number has increased again since the beginning of the decade“, reports the association. Often a syphilis infection goes unnoticed, which goes along with correspondingly delayed diagnoses. On the one hand, this entails the risk of an unwitting transmission of the pathogens and, on the other hand, an increased risk of long-term health damage. The German Society of Internal Medicine advises therefore „to increased attention for the disease.“ In the worst case, syphilis could end in death, „but early diagnosis can treat it effectively“, according to the DGIM communication.

Much of the new syphilis infection affects men
The transmission of syphilis is done according to the DGIM mostly through unprotected intercourse and „while the infection rate in women has been consistently low for years, the number of men suffering from syphilis is currently increasing.“ More than 90 percent of new infections affect men. After contact with the pathogens (spiral bacteria, Treponema pallidum), nine to ninety days later, a painless ulcer, the so-called „hard chancellor“, reports the DGIM. This usually heals untreated within two weeks. However, the infection is by no means over. And besides, this remains „Primary effect of syphilis often goes unnoticed“, explains Professor dr. med. Dr. h.c. Ulrich Fölsch, Secretary General of the DGIM from Kiel.

Unremarkable course of the venereal disease
Due to the inconspicuous course is according to the expert „only one-third of first-stage syphilis cases are detected.“ If not treated, the disease progresses to the next stage about seven to eight weeks later. The pathogens have spread throughout the body and itchy rash forms- „often on the trunk, palms and soles“, according to the DGIM communication. Even at this stage, syphilis can heal itself without treatment. „In healthy people, the immune system succeeds in eliminating the pathogens in about thirty percent of cases“, explains Professor Fölsch. However, in particular immunocompromised patients (for example, in HIV) often have a rapid progression of the disease.

Damage to the brain and cardiovascular system
Until the transition to the third stage of syphilis, according to the DGIM „Years to decades“ pass away. Noticeable is the transition through knots or spots on the skin and later also by the formation of ulcers. The correct diagnosis often brings here only the analysis of a skin sample, „Syphilis may take the form of many diseases“, reports Professor Fölsch. Therefore, the venereal disease used to be called „Chameleon of medicine“ have been designated. According to the expert, however, syphilis is no longer limited to the skin in the late stage, but the blood vessels can also be severely damaged. It could, for example, „An aneurysm triggered by the infection will burst at any time and cause a sudden death.“ In addition, Professor Fölsch reports damage to heart valves and brain. The good news, however, is that syphilis can still be treated relatively reliably even in the late stage by a two-week penicillin treatment. „Once incurred damage to the blood vessels or nervous system but remain“, so Fölsch. Therefore, it is particularly important that the disease is detected early. (Fp)