As a form of chemotherapy, elemental mercury was frequently used to treat syphilis in Europe very early on in the epidemic, and in this respect was rather effective. Mercury is highly anti-microbial, and in the early stages of infection was sometimes sufficient in halting development of the disease when applied to cancres or other wounds. Once the bacterium gained a strong foothold, however, the amounts and forms of mercury necessary to control its development exceeded the human ability to endure this extremely toxic metal, and the treatment became worse and more lethal than the disease. Medically-directed mercury poisoning also became widespread, and thousands died in desperate attempts to rid themselves of the excruciating, disfiguring, and humiliating illness. Early infections The first-line treatment for uncomplicated syphilis (primary or secondary stages) remains a single dose of intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin. Doxycycline and tetracycline are alternative choices for those allergic to penicillin; due to the risk of birth defects, these are not recommended for pregnant women. Resistance to macrolides, rifampicin, and clindamycin is often present. Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, may be as effective as penicillin-based treatment. It is recommended that a treated person avoid sex until the sores are healed. Late infections For neurosyphilis, due to the poor penetration of benzathine penicillin into the central nervous system, those affected are given large doses of intravenous penicillin G for a minimum of 10 days. If a person is allergic to penicillin, ceftriaxone may be used or penicillin desensitization attempted. Other late presentations may be treated with once-weekly intramuscular benzathine penicillin for three weeks. Treatment at this stage solely limits further progression of the disease and has a limited effect on damage which has already occurred. Serologic cure can be measured when the non-treponemal titers decline by a factor of 4 or more in 6–12 months in early syphilis or 12–24 months in late syphilis. Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction in a person with syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus One of the potential side effects of treatment is the Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction. It frequently starts within one hour and lasts for 24 hours, with symptoms of fever, muscle pains, headache, and a fast heart rate. It is caused by cytokines released by the immune system in response to lipoproteins released from rupturing syphilis bacteria. Pregnancy Penicillin is an effective treatment for syphilis in pregnancy but there is no agreement on which dose or route of delivery is most effective.
medical cause of Uveitis
symptom of Lupus nephritis
medical cause of Pyelonephritis
symptom of Scleritis
complications of Vasculitis
causes of Pyelonephritis
medical cause of Edema
medical cause of Chronic kidney disease