Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) perceived to be as dangerous as AIDS. Syphilis is believed to have originated from Europe and is caused by bacteria called Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis is transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. The disease is also transferred to an unborn child through an infected mother.
A disease of the blood, Syphilis can lead to mental disorders, blindness, and eventually death. Syphilis can be cured through penicillin if taken under proper medical supervision. However, if the person stops the treatment midway, chances of the disease reoccurring are high. Another treatment for syphilis is injecting benzathine penicillin in each buttock. This, unfortunately, can be a painful method.
The symptoms of syphilis do not appear all at once. Syphilis makes its appearance in different stages: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis, and latent syphilis. This STD can be treated in the initial two stages. If syphilis remains untreated, the bacteria can remain inactive for years and then eventually prove to be destructive.
In the initial stage, one or more painless sores are formed in the genital or mouth regions of infected men and women. Usually, these sores are more visible in men than women. After about six weeks after the formation of sores, symptoms such as fever and/or non-itching rash can appear. Later, the bacterium becomes inactive and syphilis develops internally in the patient over a period of time.
Syphilis spreads by mere contact with an infected person. Hence, the concept of safe sex does not apply in the case of syphilis. Though controlling diet cannot treat syphilis, there are a few foods that can offer relief from syphilis symptoms. Conversely, some foods can worsen the condition of a syphilis infected person.
For syphilis patients, consuming foods that ease symptoms can play an important role in controlling the disease. The use of honey, brown rice, wheat, barley, bitter vegetables, and food cooked in sesame oil can provide some relief to syphilis patients. However, heavy meals that need a longer time to digest should be avoided because they can lead to an aggravation of syphilis symptoms.
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