1. The client/caregiver can define the disease syphilis.
    1. It is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
    2. It is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore.
    3. These sores occur on the external genitals, vagina, and anus, or in the rectum. They can also occur on the lips and in the mouth.
    4. Transmission occurs during sex. Infected pregnant women can pass it to the unborn child.
    5. Syphilis is described in three stages.
  2. The client/caregiver can explain the stages of syphilis and the symptoms for each stage.
    1. First stage of syphilis
      • The first symptom is usually a sore (or chancre).
      • The chancre is firm, round, small, and painless.
      • The first symptom occurs from 10 to 90 days after infection.
      • The chancre can last 3 to 6 weeks and can heal without treatment.
      • Without treatment, the disease will progress to stage 2.
    2. Second stage of syphilis
      • Rash can occur on one or more areas of the body.
      • Rash does not usually cause itching.
      • Rash may appear as the chancre is healing or several weeks afterward.
      • Most common appearance of the rash is rough, red, or reddish brown spot on the palms of the hands and the bottom of feet.
      • Other symptoms may be fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.
      • These symptoms can pass without treatment, but the disease will progress to the third stage.
    3. Late stage of syphilis
      • This is also called latent (hidden) stage.
      • It will start when second-stage symptoms disappear.
      • Infection remains in the body if not treated.
      • There is damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints.
      • Complications, if untreated can result in mental deterioration, dementia, loss of vision, loss of balance, and paralysis.
  3. The client/caregiver can list methods of testing and treatment.
    1. Testing for syphilis can be done by culture of chancre or by an inexpensive blood test (VDRL or RPR).
    2. Treatment by penicillin injection at any stage can cure the disease but cannot repair damage done to organs before treatment.
    3. HIV testing is recommended.
    4. Partner should be notified and screening done

Resources

Community Health Clinic

Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/std/

Healthy People 2010www.health.gov/healthypeople

References

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2006). Nursing diagnosis handbook: A guide to planning care. Philadelphia: Mosby Inc.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR 2002;51 (no. RR-6).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005, September). Sexually transmitted disease surveillance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Cohen, B. J., & Taylor, J. J. (2005). Memmler’s the human body in health and disease (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Hunt, R. 2005. Introduction to community based nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Perry, A., & Potter, P. (2006). Clinical nursing skills & technique. St. Louis: Mosby Inc.

Timby, B. K., & Smith, N. C. (2003). Introductory medical-surgical nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott

Credits

Client Teaching Guides for Home Health Care, 2nd ed.

© 2008 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.

www.jbpub.com

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