Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can be transmitted through oral sex and kissing as well as unprotected sex.
The number of infected people exceeded 10,000 for the first time.
Such risks exist regardless of whether you use or engage in the sex industry.
What kind of illness?
What about tests and treatments?
We asked an expert for more information.
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the number of syphilis-infected people reported nationwide reached 10,141 by October 23, the first time since 1999 when statistics began to be collected using the current method. Exceeded.
It is 1.7 times higher than the same period last year, and continues to grow significantly.
This time, Dr. Yasuhiko Onoe, the director of "Private Care Clinic Tokyo", kindly accepted our interview.
Last year, Dr. Onoue's clinic treated about 260 syphilis patients.
At Dr. Onoue's clinic, the number of syphilis patients is said to have increased by about 1.5 times.
(The following is Dr. Onoe's story.)
Q. What are the symptoms of infection?
When infected with syphilis, the first symptoms usually appear after an incubation period of 3 to 6 weeks.
However, some people have no symptoms, while others have symptoms that go away quickly.
Thus, the disease may progress without the person being aware of the infection.
According to the guidelines of the Japanese Society of Sexually Infectious Diseases, syphilis progresses through three major stages.
Q. What are the three periods?
Syphilis occurring less than a year after infection is called “early syphilis” and is considered highly contagious through sexual contact.
[Phase 1] About 1 month after infection
A 3 mm to 3 cm swelling or ulcer develops, centered on the site where the causative bacteria entered.
The symptoms may go away in a few weeks, but the syphilis is not cured.
Pain and itching are rarely felt.
[Phase 2] Approximately 1 to 3 months after infection
Because the bacteria are carried throughout the body by blood, a red rash may appear all over the body, including the hands and feet.
In addition, various symptoms such as fever and malaise may occur.
Even at this stage, symptoms may go away on their own, but the syphilis is not cured.
[Phase 3] About 3 years after infection
Syphilis after more than a year of infection is called "late-stage syphilis" and is not considered to be contagious through sexual contact, but serious symptoms may occur in organs and other organs.
Inflammation occurs throughout the body, and rubber-like tumors called "gummas" may develop in bones and organs. had.
As the disease progresses further, symptoms appear in the brain, heart, and blood vessels, and paralysis and arteriosclerosis may occur.
If left untreated, it can lead to serious symptoms like Stage 3, so early detection is important.
Q. Who should be especially careful?
Pregnant women should be careful.
Infected pregnant women are at increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
Research data shows that even if infected pregnant women themselves are treated, mother-to-child transmission occurs in about 20% of cases, resulting in "congenital syphilis," in which babies are born infected with syphilis.
In congenital syphilis, a rash and bone abnormalities may appear soon after birth, and symptoms such as eye inflammation and hearing loss may appear several years later even if there are no symptoms in infants.
Q. Pain?
What about itching?
Syphilis often presents with a variety of symptoms similar to those of other diseases, but it is sometimes referred to as the "master of camouflage" because it can go unnoticed without pain or itchiness, or it may not show any symptoms in the first place. .
Therefore, it may not be detected early and may progress without being noticed.
When you look at pictures of the symptoms, it looks painful with rashes and ulcers, but in reality it rarely causes pain or itching.
Also, if the symptoms appear in the back of the throat or the inside of the genitals, the patient may not even notice them.
Q. What is the cause?
Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum and is spread mainly through sexual intercourse.
Sex without a condom increases the risk, but it can also be transmitted through oral sex and kissing.
Also, even if you are wearing a condom, it is possible to get infected if you come into direct contact with the mucous membranes or damaged skin of an infected person, so be careful.
[Data: People who have never used or been engaged in the sex industry]
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the number of infected people reported by October 2 as the third quarter of this year was 6167 men and 3144 women, which is more men.
By age group, 75% of women are in their 20s and 30s, with a particularly large number in their early 20s.
On the other hand, males span a wide range of age groups, from those in their 20s to those in their 60s and above.
In addition, nearly 40% of the infected men have a history of using the sex industry and women who have a history of working in the sex industry account for nearly 40% of the infected, but about 30% of the men have no history of using the industry and women have no history of working. is.
Q When is it infected?
People tend to think that they are infected through the sex industry, but it is important to be careful because there are cases where partners are infected even if they do not think of themselves.
Also, from recent medical experience, some people become infected through sexual intercourse with an unspecified number of people through matching apps and SNS encounters.
Q What is the treatment?
There is a cure for syphilis, and it can be cured with proper treatment.
Antibiotics are commonly used in Japan.
It can be treated by continuing to take medicine for a certain period of time.
Even if the symptoms subside in the middle of the treatment, it is important to continue taking the medicine for the specified period without thinking that you have "cured" on your own.
In addition, a new therapeutic drug that is effective with just one injection was approved last year and has been used since this year.
It is hoped that the treatment will become easier, as there is no need to continue taking medicine.
Q What should I do if I think I might be infected?
If you have had sexual contact with someone other than your partner, or have done anything that might cause infection, go get tested.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that there are cases in which tests do not detect the infection immediately after infection.
Six weeks after infection, the presence or absence of infection can almost certainly be determined, so it is a good idea to check when you had risky sexual activity.
A blood test is the most common test method.
In addition to visiting a medical institution, you can also undergo tests at local public health centers.
For example, in Tokyo, you can be tested anonymously and free of charge at examination/consultation rooms and public health centers in Shinjuku and elsewhere.
Results can be obtained the next day for normal tests, and 20 to 30 minutes for same-day tests.
As soon as the infection is known, treatment can be started immediately, so it is most important to get tested first.
Q How to prevent it?
The number of syphilis patients is at the highest level in the last 10 years, and I think it is a state of concern for society as a whole.
As a preventive measure, it is important to first avoid sexual contact with an unspecified number of people and use condoms.
However, condoms alone do not provide 100% protection, and we do not know under what circumstances, including physical contact, infection will occur.
In order to protect your loved ones from infection, please consider taking a checkup at a milestone in your life, such as when you have a new partner, when you get married, or when you have a child.