Syphilis

Summary

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterial infection contracted through unprotected sex with a partner who’s already infected with the disease. This is one of the most serious STDs, if left untreated it can lead to the progressive deterioration of one’s physical and mental capacities and even death.

Note: Syphilis should be treated immediately. Due to the many variables and possible problems related to any type of sexually transmitted disease, it is important that you see a medical professional.

Symptoms

The symptoms of syphilis are chronic and recurring. Each occurrence progresses through three distinct stages. During the first stage, skin lesions occur inside two to four days following an infection. Usually, the lesion may only appear as a small red bump or ulcer that can eventually harden. Within fourteen days of an outbreak, the lymph nodes can become swollen, too.

In the 2nd stage, the lesions might disappear only to be followed by a variety of health symptoms that can be mistaken for other diseases. For this reason, syphilis is actually often referred to as the, “great imitator.” Symptoms during the second phase include headache, fever, fatigue, and small reddish brown outbreaks on the skin. Typically, these types of symptoms decrease within a few weeks, but can reoccur later on.

The 3rd stage of syphilis symptoms typically doesn’t occur for many years after the first infection. At this time, the heart, blood vessels, and central nervous system can be impacted, leading to severe physical and mental degeneration, followed by death.

Cause

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Nevertheless, in some cases, syphilis can also be contracted following contact with freshly contaminated materials subjected to the bacterium, and also through blood transfusions. In addition, it can be spread to fetuses and newborns by pregnant mothers infected with syphilis or the bacterium.

Printable Syphilis Prevention Recommendations:

Prevention Recommendations

As with all sexually transmitted diseases, the most effective reaction to syphilis is prevention. To avoid syphilis, follow these guidelines:

Be cautious when selecting sexual partners and inquire about his or her health and sexual background before engaging in a sexual relationship. Have sexual intercourse only if the individual has no obvious signs of infection and is willing to ensure your protection during sexual intimacy. Be ready to talk as well as inquire about past encounters. Be direct and persistent. Make conversations about wellness a natural part of the sexual relationship.

Limit the amount of people you have sex with. The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease rises tremendously in immediate relation to the number of sexual partners you have.

Avoid intercourse altogether if your partner displays open lesions or inflammation on his or her body.

Always practice safe sex. Males should always use a latex condom, especially when participating in sex with someone new. As a substitute, women can consider the use of a latex female condom. Whenever engaging in oral sex, use a latex tooth dam. Long-term, monogamous sexual partners should also use some form of protective contraceptive unless planning for a pregnancy.

Avoid swallowing semen, as it acts as a defense suppressant and can therefore increase the risk of STDs caused by infectious organisms.

Avoid anal sex, especially without protection.

Urinate after you have sexual intercourse to clean the urethra and prevent infection. This particular tip applies to both women and men.

Schedule an annual checkup and be screened for infectious STD’s that you might not know you have.

If you know that you have a sexually transmitted disease, be responsible. Inform your companion and demand that he or she be examined and treated too. Follow the treatment regimen that the physician prescribes as completely as possible, and always use protection whenever you engage in sexual activities.

Natural Remedies

Proper treatment of syphilis requires conventional treatment with antibiotics, such as penicillin or tetracycline. You must see a doctor for a prescription to treat syphilis.

The following organic cures may help reduce recovery time:

Diet: Healthy eating is an essential part of a powerful immune system. Drink pure strained water and increase your intake of fresh organic vegetables and fruit, complex whole grains, and organic, free-range-meats, chicken, and wild-caught fish.

Avoid all processed, fried, and non-organic food, alcohol, espresso, sugars, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, food dyes, dairy products, whole wheat items, and refined carbohydrates. Do not eat saturated, trans- hydrogenated or partly-hydrogenated fats or oils. Choose from coconut butter or oil, extra virgin olive oil, higher lignin flax seed oil, and unrefined hemp seed, walnut, and sunflower oils.

In addition, undergo testing for possible food allergies and respiratory issues and avoid foods to which you test positive. Consider a rotating or elimination diet in order to further decrease the likelihood of food allergies.

Proper nourishment and diet are crucial players in the healing and elimination of imbalance and disease. For a total, nutrition packed, whole foods diet plan, read the Whole Foods Diet. Often a raw food diet plan can be extremely advantageous. To learn more, read Raw Food Diet
Herbs: Helpful herbs to stimulate recuperation include chimaphilla, cranberry extract, Echinacea, and goldenseal.
Useful Herbal Combinations:

Add two tbsp. of sarsaparilla and yellowdock root to one quart of boiling water. Simmer for 5 minutes and then add 3 to 4 tsp. of dried thyme. Steep for one hour; afterward drink one to three cups throughout the day. Women can also make use of this same method as an herbal douche, which they should administer often if necessary.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of using water, ice, steam and cold and hot temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of warm and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be utilized in the home as part of a self-treatment program. Numerous Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Health spas use hydrotherapy as part of their healing treatments. There are several in-house hydrotherapy remedies. For syphilis, we recommend daily sitz baths to help reduce symptoms. Please seek the advice of your alternative health care specialist before undergoing these procedures to make sure they are appropriate for you.

*Purified water is important for any hydrotherapy treatment. Remedies involving purified water offer clear instructions and recommendations.

Homeopathy: The homeopathic remedy Syphilinum can be helpful for people with syphilis as well as their descendants. According to homeopathic theory, even after the bacteria that causes syphilis is destroyed by antibiotics, a person’s essential energy or power field can remain adversely affected. Syphilinum helps to restore balance to the body’s natural energy. Those descended from ancestors that had syphilis (a significant percentage of the planet’s overall populace) can carry this energetic imbalance as well. Syphilinum is a great homeopathic remedy to restore energy and natural physical balance.

Juice Therapy: The juices from apples, celery, cranberry extract, cucumbers, grapes, parsley, pomegranate, and melon are all recommended to boost the immune system and speed syphilis recovery times. Juices made from green vegetables are also encouraged.

Supplements: Vitamin A, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and zinc are suggested because of their proven ability to boost and aid the immune system.

Alternative Professional Treatment

The following therapies can also help to treat syphilis: Ayurveda, Body Detoxification, Energy Medicine, Environment Medicine, Magnet Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, Air Therapy, and traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Resources for additional information regarding these Alternative Treatments.)