it entails what affects the Male Sex system as well as how it is affected by the infection and other factors present in our society

2. Male Reproductive System
Disorders and Diseases
Presented before class by:
Avila, Ernie C.
BSE 3B

3. Disorders and Diseases of
Prostate
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

4. Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

5. Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
– Common in older men; varies from mild to severe
– Change is actually hyperplasia of prostate
• Nodules form around urethra
• Result of imbalance between estrogen and testosterone
– No connection w/ prostate cancer
– Rectal exams reveals enlarged gland
– Incomplete emptying of bladder leads to infections
– Continued obstruction leads to distended
bladder, dilated ureters, renal damage
• If significant, surgery required

6. Signs and Symptoms
• It causes canal to cause partial, or sometimes
virtually complete, obstruction of the
urethra, which interferes with the normal flow of
urine. It leads to symptoms of urinary
hesitancy, frequent urination, dysuria (painful
urination), increased risk of urinary tract
infections, and urinary retention. Although
prostate specific antigen levels may be elevated
in these patients because of increased organ
volume and inflammation due to urinary tract
infections, BPH does not lead to cancer or
increase the risk of cancer.[

8. BPH—Signs and Symptoms
– Initial signs
• Obstruction of urine flow
– Hesitancy, dribbling, decreased force of urine stream
– Incomplete bladder emptying
» Frequency, nocturia, recurrent UTIs

9. Treatment
– Only small amount require intervention
• Surgery when obstruction severe
– Drugs (Flomax) used to promote blood flow helpful when surgery not
required
• Surgery
• Transurethral resection of the prostate
- is a urological operation. It is used to treat benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH). As the name indicates, it is performed by
visualizing the prostate through the urethra and removing tissue by
electrocautery or sharp dissection. This is considered the most
effective treatment for BPH. This procedure is done with spinal or
general anesthetic. A triple lumen catheter is inserted through the
urethra to irrigate and drain the bladder after the surgical
procedure is complete.
Outcome is considered excellent for 80-90% of BPH patients.

10. Prostate Cancer

11. Prostate Cancer
– Most are adenocarcinomas from tissue near surface of gland
• BPH arises from center of gland
• Many are androgen dependent
– Tumors vary in degree of cellular differentiation
• The more undifferentiated, the more aggressive and the faster they
grow and spread
– Metastasis to bone occurs early
• Spine, pelvis, ribs, femur
– Cancer has typically spread before diagnosis
– Staging based on 4 categories:
• Asmall, nonpalpable, encapsulated
• Bpalpable confined to prostate
• Cextended beyond prostate
• Dpresence of distant metastases

13. Causes
– Cause not determined
• Genetic, environmental, hormonal factors
– Common in North American and northern Europe
– Incidence higher in black population than white
• Genetic factor?
– Testosterone receptors found on cancer cells
• The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but
hormonal, genetic, environmental, and dietary
factors are thought to play roles. The following
risk factors have been linked with development of
this condition:

14. Causes
• Genetic factors: Men who have a history of
prostate cancer in their family, especially if it
was a first-degree relative such as a father or
brother, are at an increased risk
• .

15. Causes
• Infection: Recent evidence has suggested the
role of sexually transmitted infections as one
of the causative factors for prostate cancer.
People who have had sexually transmitted
infections are reported as having 1.4 times
greater chance of developing the disease as
compared to the general population

16. Causes
• Diet: A diet high in fat has been associated
with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
• Chemical agents: Exposure to chemicals such
as cadmium has been implicated in the
development of prostate cancer.

17. Signs and Symptoms
– Hard nodule in periphery of gland
• Detected by rectal exam
– No early urethral obstruction
• b/c of location
• As tumor develops, some obstruction occurs
– Hesitancy, decreased stream, urinary frequency, bladder infection
– Hard nodule in periphery of gland
• Detected by rectal exam
– No early urethral obstruction
• b/c of location
• As tumor develops, some obstruction occurs
– Hesitancy, decreased stream, urinary frequency, bladder infection

18. How to diagnose?
– 2 helpful serum markers
• Prostate-specfic Antigen (PSA)
– Useful screening tool for early detection
• Prostatic acid phosphatase
– elevated when metastatic cancer present
– prostate biopsy is performed after a raised serum prostate specific antigen
– Ultrasound and biopsy confirms
• prostate cancers are discovered incidentally when a
digital rectal exam is performed.

19. Treatment
Radical prostatectomy is surgical removal of the entire
prostate. This operation is indicated for cancer that is
limited to the prostate and has not invaded the
capsule of the prostate, any other nearby structures
or lymph nodes, or distant organs.
– Risk of impotence or incontinence
– When tumor androgen sensitive:
• orchiectomy (removal of testes) or
• Antitestosterone drug therapy
– 5 yr survival rate is 85-90%

20. Treatment
• Prostate Cancer Treatment
• Treatments for prostate cancer are effective in most men.
• They cause both short- and long-term side effects that may be
difficult to accept.
You and your life partner or family members should discuss your
treatment options in detail with your urologist and other
physicians.
Make sure you understand which treatments are available, how
effective each is likely to be, and what side effects can be expected.
•
You must weigh all these choices carefully before making a decision
about which course to pursue.
• Continue visiting your Urologist

21. Prevention
• Proper nutrition, such as limiting intake of foods high in animal fats and increasing
the amount of fruits, vegetables, and grains, may help reduce the risk of prostate
cancer.
•
Eating certain foods that contain substances called antioxidants (vitamins C and E
and beta carotene) may be protective.
•
Some research suggests that taking vitamin E, an antioxidant, may reduce the risk
of not only prostate cancer but also other cancers. This theory remains unproven.
•
Certain medications like finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart)
have been shown in some recent studies to be effective in decreasing the risk of
developing prostate cancer. A discussion with your urologist with regard to these
medications should be considered especially, if you have a higher risk of acquiring
the disease based on your family history.

22. Erectile Dysfunction

23. Erectile Dysfunction
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has trouble
getting or keeping an erection. ED becomes more
common as you get older. But male sexual dysfunction
is not a natural part of aging.
• Some people have trouble speaking with their doctors
about sex. But if you have ED, you should tell your
doctor. ED can be a sign of health problems. It may
mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you
have nerve damage from diabetes. If you don't see
your doctor, these problems will go untreated

24. • Erectile dysfunction (impotence) occurs when
a man can no longer get or keep an erection
firm enough for sexual intercourse. Having
erection trouble from time to time isn't
necessarily a cause for concern. But if erectile
dysfunction is an ongoing problem, it may
cause stress, cause relationship problems or
affect your self-confidence.

25. Symptoms
symptoms may include persistent:
• Trouble getting an erection
• Trouble keeping an erection
• Reduced sexual desire

26. Cause
• Physical causes of erectile dysfunction
In most cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical.
Common causes include:
• Heart disease
• Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome, a condition involving increased blood
pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high
cholesterol
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis

27. • Low testosterone
• Peyronie's disease, development of scar tissue
inside the penis
• Certain prescription medications
• Tobacco use
• Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
• Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged
prostate
• Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or
spinal cord

28. • Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction
The brain plays a key role in triggering the series of
physical events that cause an erection, starting with
feelings of sexual excitement. A number of things can
interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen
erectile dysfunction. These include:
• Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
• Stress
• Relationship problems due to stress, poor
communication or other concerns

29. Complications
• complications resulting from erectile
dysfunction can include:
• An unsatisfactory sex life
• Stress or anxiety
• Embarrassment or low self-esteem
• Marital or relationship problems
• The inability to get your partner pregnant

30. Test and diagnosis
• Tests for underlying problems may include:
• Physical exam. This may include careful
examination of your penis and testicles and
checking your nerves for feeling.
• Blood tests. A sample of your blood may be sent
to a lab to check for signs of heart
disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels and
other health problems.
• Urine tests (urinalysis). Like blood tests, urine
tests are used to look for signs of diabetes and
other underlying health conditions.

31. • Ultrasound. This test can check blood flow to your penis. It involves
using a wand-like device (transducer) held over the blood vessels
that supply the penis. It creates a video image to let your doctor see
if you have blood flow problems. This test is sometimes done in
combination with an injection of medications into the penis to
determine if blood flow increases normally.
• Overnight erection test. Most men have erections during sleep
without remembering them. This simple test involves wrapping
special tape around your penis before you go to bed. If the tape is
separated in the morning, your penis was erect at some time during
the night. This indicates the cause of your erectile dysfunction is
most likely psychological and not physical.
• Psychological exam. Your doctor may ask you questions to screen
for depression and other possible psychological causes of erectile
dysfunction.

32. • Oral medications
Oral medications are a successful erectile
dysfunction treatment for many men. They
include:
• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)

33. Other medications
• Alprostadil self-injection. With this
method, you use a fine needle to inject
alprostadil (Caverject Impulse, Edex) into the
base or side of your penis.
• Alprostadil penis suppository. Alprostadil
intraurethral (Muse) therapy involves placing a
tiny alprostadil suppository inside your penis
in the penile urethra.

34. • Testosterone replacement. Some men have erectile
dysfunction caused by low levels of the hormone
testosterone, and may need testosterone replacement
therapy
• Penis pumps.
• Penile implants. This treatment involves surgically
placing devices into the two sides of the penis
• Blood vessel surgery. In rare cases, leaking or
obstructed blood vessels can cause erectile dysfunction
and surgery is necessary to repair them

36. Inguinal Hernia

37. Inguinal Hernia
• An inguinal hernia occurs when soft tissue —
usually part of the intestine — protrudes
through a weak point or tear in your lower
abdominal wall. The resulting bulge can be
painful — especially when you cough, bend
over or lift a heavy object.

38. Inguinal Hernia
• Not necessarily dangerous by itself, an
inguinal hernia doesn't get better or go away
on its own. An inguinal hernia can lead to life-
threatening complications. For this
reason, your doctor is likely to recommend
surgical repair of an inguinal hernia that's
painful or becoming larger. Inguinal hernia
repair is a common surgical procedure.

39. Symptoms
• Some inguinal hernias don't cause any symptoms, and you may not
know you have one until your doctor discovers it during a routine
medical exam. Often, however, you can see and feel the bulge
created by the protruding intestine. The bulge is usually more
obvious when you stand upright, especially if you cough or strain.
• A bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone
• A burning, gurgling or aching sensation at the bulge
• Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending
over, coughing or lifting
• A heavy or dragging sensation in your groin
• Weakness or pressure in your groin
• Occasionally, in men, pain and swelling in the scrotum around the
testicles when the protruding intestine descends into the scrotum

40. Signs and symptoms
• Signs and symptoms in children
Inguinal hernias in newborns and children
result from a weakness in the abdominal wall
that's present at birth. Sometimes the hernia
may be visible only when an infant is
crying, coughing or straining during a bowel
movement. In an older child, a hernia is likely
to be more apparent when the child
coughs, strains during a bowel movement or
stands for a long period of time.

41. Causes
• Some inguinal hernias have no apparent cause. But many
occur as a result of:
• Increased pressure within the abdomen
• A pre-existing weak spot in the abdominal wall
• A combination of increased pressure within the abdomen
and a pre-existing weak spot in the abdominal wall
• Straining during bowel movements or urination
• Heavy lifting
• Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• Pregnancy
• Excess weight
• Chronic coughing or sneezing

42. Risk factors
• Risk factors include:
• Being male. You're far more likely to develop an inguinal
hernia if you're male. Also, the vast majority of newborns
and children with inguinal hernias are boys.
• Family history. Your risk of inguinal hernia increases if you
have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with the
condition.
• Certain medical conditions. Having cystic fibrosis, a life-
threatening disorder that causes severe lung damage and
often a chronic cough, makes it more likely you'll develop
an inguinal hernia.
• Chronic cough. A chronic cough, such as occurs from
smoking, increases your risk of inguinal hernia.

43. • Chronic constipation. This leads to straining during bowel
movements — a common cause of inguinal hernias.
• Excess weight. Being moderately to severely overweight can put
extra pressure on your abdomen.
• Pregnancy. This can both weaken the abdominal muscles and cause
increased pressure inside your abdomen.
• Certain occupations. Having a job that requires standing for long
periods or doing heavy physical labor increases your risk of
developing an inguinal hernia.
• Premature birth. Infants who are born sooner than normal are
more likely to have inguinal hernias.
• History of hernias. If you've had one inguinal hernia, it's much
more likely that you'll eventually develop another — usually on the
opposite side.

44. Complications
• Complications include:
• Pressure on surrounding tissues. Most inguinal hernias enlarge over time
if they're not repaired surgically. Large hernias can put pressure on
surrounding tissues — in men they may extend into the scrotum, causing
pain and swelling.
• Incarcerated hernia. This complication of an inguinal hernia occurs when a
loop of intestine becomes trapped in the weak point in the abdominal
wall. This may obstruct the bowel, leading to severe
pain, nausea, vomiting and the inability to have a bowel movement or
pass gas.
• Strangulation. When part of the intestine is trapped in the abdominal wall
(incarcerated hernia), blood flow to this portion of the intestine may be
diminished. This condition is called strangulation, and it may lead to the
death of the affected bowel tissues. A strangulated hernia is life-
threatening and requires immediate surgery.

45. Test and Diagnosis
• A physical exam is usually all that's needed to
diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor is
likely to ask about your signs and symptoms
and to check for a bulge in the groin area.
Because standing and coughing can make a
hernia more prominent, you may be asked to
stand up and cough or strain as part of the
exam.

46. Treatment andMedications
• Herniorrhaphy. In this procedure, also called
"open" hernia repair, your surgeon makes an
incision in your groin and pushes the protruding
intestine back into your abdomen.
• Laparoscopy. In laparoscopic surgery, your
surgeon uses several small incisions rather than
one large one. A fiber-optic tube with a tiny
camera is inserted into your abdomen through
one incision, and miniature instruments are
inserted through the other incisions.

47. Prevention
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you think you
may be overweight, talk to your doctor about
the best exercise and diet plan for you.
• Emphasize high-fiber foods. Fresh fruits and
vegetables and whole grains are good for your
overall health. They're also packed with fiber
that can help prevent constipation and
straining.

48. • Lift heavy objects carefully or avoid heavy lifting
altogether. If you have to lift something
heavy, always bend from your knees, not from
your waist.
• Stop smoking. In addition to increasing your risk
of serious diseases such as cancer, emphysema
and heart disease, smoking often causes a
chronic cough that can lead to or aggravate an
inguinal hernia.
• Don't rely on a truss, a supportive garment
designed to keep hernias in place

51. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
STD Overview
• A term applied to a variety of infections that are passed
from one person to another primarily though vaginal oral
or anal sex.
• STD’s : group of Communicable Diseases Mode of
transmission: Predominantly by Sexual Contact Agents:
Bacterial, Viral, Protozoal, Fungal, Ectoparasites
Causes for increased prevalence :
• Causes for increased prevalence Increased promiscuity and
multiple sex partners Better understanding of modes of
transmission Better screening tests Antibiotic resistance
Increasing DNA virus infection

52. AIDS
• AIDS stands for: Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome
• AIDS is a medical condition. A person is
diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system
is too weak to fight off infections.
• Since AIDS was first identified in the early
1980s, an unprecedented number of people have
been affected by the global AIDS epidemic.
Today, there are an estimated 34 million people
living with HIV and AIDS worldwide.

53. • What causes AIDS?
• How HIV affects the body
• AIDS is caused by HIV.
• HIV is a virus that gradually attacks immune system
cells. As HIV progressively damages these cells, the
body becomes more vulnerable to infections, which it
will have difficulty in fighting off. It is at the point of
very advanced HIV infection that a person is said to
have AIDS. If left untreated, it can take around ten
years before HIV has damaged the immune system
enough for AIDS to develop.

54. CAUSES
• AIDS is caused by HIV.
• HIV is a virus that gradually attacks immune
system cells. As HIV progressively damages these
cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to
infections, which it will have difficulty in fighting
off. It is at the point of very advanced HIV
infection that a person is said to have AIDS. If left
untreated, it can take around ten years before
HIV has damaged the immune system enough for
AIDS to develop.

55. What are the symptoms of AIDS?
• A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have
developed an AIDS related condition or
symptom, called an opportunistic infection, or an AIDS
related cancer. The infections are called ‘opportunistic’
because they take advantage of the opportunity
offered by a weakened immune system.
• It is possible for someone to be diagnosed with AIDS
even if they have not developed an opportunistic
infection. AIDS can be diagnosed when the number of
immune system cells (CD4 cells) in the blood of an HIV
positive person drops below a certain level.

56. Is there a cure for AIDS?
• Worryingly, many people think there is a 'cure'
for AIDS - which makes them feel safer, and
perhaps take risks that they otherwise
wouldn't. However, there is still no cure for
AIDS. The only way to stay safe is to be aware
of how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent
HIV infection.

57. How is AIDS treated?
• Antiretroviral treatment can significantly
prolong the lives of people living with HIV.
Modern combination therapy is highly
effective and someone with HIV who is taking
treatment could live for the rest of their life
without developing AIDS.

58. Why do people still develop AIDS
today?
• Even though antiretroviral treatment can prevent
the onset of AIDS in a person living with
HIV, many people are still diagnosed with AIDS
today. There are four main reasons for this:
• In many resource-poor countries antiretroviral
treatment is not widely available
• . Even in wealthier countries, such as
America, many individuals are not covered by
health insurance and cannot afford treatment.

59. • Some people who became infected with HIV in the
early years of the epidemic before combination
therapy was available, have subsequently developed
drug resistance and therefore have limited treatment
options.
• Many people are never tested for HIV and only become
aware they are infected with the virus once they have
developed an AIDS related illness. These people are at
a higher risk of mortality, as they tend to respond less
well to treatment at this stage.
• Sometimes people taking treatment are unable to
adhere to, or tolerate the side effects of drugs.

60. Caring for a person with AIDS
• In the later stages of AIDS, a person will need palliative care
and emotional support. In many parts of the
world, friends, family and AIDS organizations provide home
based care. This is particularly the case in countries with
high HIV prevalence and overstretched healthcare systems.
• End of life care becomes necessary when a person has
reached the very final stages of AIDS. At this
stage, preparing for death and open discussion about
whether a person is going to die often helps in addressing
concerns and ensuring final wishes are followed.

62. Candidiasis
• Candidiasis is an infection caused by Candida
fungi, especially Candida albicans. These fungi
are found almost everywhere in the
environment. Some may live harmlessly along
with the abundant "native" species of bacteria
that normally colonize the
mouth, gastrointestinal tract and vagina.
Usually, Candida is kept under control by the
native bacteria and by the body's immune
defenses.

63. Types of candidiasis include:
• Thrush. Thrush is the common name for a mouth
infection caused by the Candida albicans fungus.
It affects moist surfaces around the lips, inside
the cheeks, and on the tongue and palate.
•
Esophagitis. Candida infections of the mouth can
spread to the esophagus, causing esophagitis.
This infection is most common in people with
AIDS and people receiving chemotherapy for
cancer.

64. • Cutaneous (skin) candidiasis. Candida can
cause skin infections, including diaper rash, in
areas of skin that receive little ventilation and
are unusually moist. Some common sites
include the diaper area; the hands of people
who routinely wear rubber gloves;

65. • Vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal yeast
infections are not usually transmitted sexually.
During a lifetime, 75% of all women are likely
to have at least one vaginal Candida
infection, and up to 45% have 2 or more.
Women may be more susceptible to vaginal
yeast infections if they are pregnant or have
diabetes. The use of antibiotics or birth
control pills can promote yeast infections. So
can frequent douching.

66. • Deep candidiasis (for example, candida
sepsis). In deep candidiasis, Candida fungi
contaminate the bloodstream and spread
throughout the body, causing severe infection.
This is especially common in newborns with
very low birth weights and in people with
severely weakened immune systems or severe
medical problems

67. Signs and symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Budding cells or hyphae detected on a KOH
preparation or Gram stain. Culture on
chromagen agar is more sensitive than smear.
and
• Symptoms and/or signs of vaginitis, eg
discharge, vaginal itch or
discomfort, dysuria, vulvovaginal erythema.

68. Treatment and management
Treatment is provided only for symptomatic
women.
• Seven day regimens are preferred.
• miconazole 100 mg pessaries or cream 2%
intravaginally at night for 7 nights
• clotrimazole 100 mg pessaries or cream 1%
intravaginally at night for 7 nights

69. Health Advice
• Explain the nature of the infection and provide
literature on candidiasis.
• Ensure that the patient is aware of the need
for adequate hygiene and avoidance of
potential irritants.
• Sexual transmission has negligible significance
in the aetiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Sex partners do not need to be examined and
treated.

70. Genital warts
• Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease
(STD) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
• The warts are soft, moist, pink or flesh-colored
bumps. You can have one or many of these
bumps. In women, the warts usually occur in or
around the vagina, on the cervix or around the
anus. In men, genital warts are less common but
might occur on the tip of the penis.

71. How it is acquired?
• You can get genital warts during oral, vaginal
or anal sex with an infected partner. Correct
usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but
does not completely eliminate, the risk of
catching or spreading HPV.

72. Treatment:
• The warts might disappear on their own. If
not, your health care provider can treat or
remove them. The virus stays in your body
even after treatment, so warts can come back.
• Anti biotics

75. What is genital herpes?
• Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or
type 2 (HSV-2).
• It causes herpes sores in the genital area and is
transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal
sex, especially from unprotected sex when infected
skin touches the vaginal, oral, or anal area.
Occasionally, it can cause sores in the mouth, and can
be spread by secretions in saliva. Because the virus
does not live outside the body for long, you cannot
catch genital herpes from an object, such as a toilet
seat.

76. Symptoms
• You usually get sores near the area where the
virus has entered the body. They turn into
blisters, become itchy and painful, and then
heal. Sometimes people do not know they
have herpes because they have no symptoms
or very mild symptoms. The virus can be more
serious in newborn babies or in people with
weak immune systems.

77. How to treat or Cure:
• Medicines do not cure genital herpes, but
they can to help your body fight the virus. This
can help lessen symptoms, decrease
outbreaks, and lower the risk of passing the
virus to others. Correct usage of latex
condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the
risk of catching or spreading herpes.

79. Scabies
• Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by
the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. It is
common all over the world, and it affects
people of all races and social classes. Scabies
spreads quickly in crowded conditions where
there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between
people.

80. How it is transmitted?
• Scabies can easily infect sex partners and
other household members. Sharing
clothes, towels, and bedding can also spread
scabies. You cannot get scabies from a pet.
Pets get a different mite infection called
mange.

81. Symptoms are
• Pimple-like irritations or a rash
• Intense itching, especially at night
• Sores caused by scratching

82. Prevention and Treatment:
• Several lotions are available to treat scabies.
The infected person's clothes, bedding and
towels should be washed in hot water and
dried in a hot dryer.

84. Syphilis
• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
It has often been called "the great imitator"
because so many of the signs and symptoms
are indistinguishable from those of other
diseases.

85. Causes
• How do people get syphilis?
• Syphilis is passed from person to person
through direct contact with a syphilis sore.
Sores occur mainly on the external
genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores
also can occur on the lips and in the mouth.
Transmission of the organism occurs during
vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

86. • Pregnant women with the disease can pass it
to the babies they are carrying. Syphilis cannot
be spread through contact with toilet
seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot
tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating
utensils.

87. Signs and symptoms
• in adults:
• Many people infected with syphilis do not have
any symptoms for years, yet remain at risk for
late complications if they are not treated.
Although transmission occurs from persons with
sores who are in the primary or secondary
stage, many of these sores are unrecognized.
Thus, transmission may occur from persons who
are unaware of their infection

88. How does syphilis affect a pregnant
woman and her baby?
• The syphilis bacterium can infect the baby of a woman
during her pregnancy.
• Depending on how long a pregnant woman has been
infected, she may have a high risk of having a stillbirth
(a baby born dead) or of giving birth to a baby who
dies shortly after birth.
• An infected baby may be born without signs or
symptoms of disease.
• However, if not treated immediately, the baby may
develop serious problems within a few weeks.
Untreated babies may become developmentally
delayed, have seizures, or die

89. • Syphilis is easy to cure with antibiotics if you
catch it early. Correct usage of latex condoms
greatly reduces, but does not completely
eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading
syphilis.