Syphilis May Soon Become Impossible to Treat, Study Warns

by Martins Ifijeh

As the world continue to find better ways to treat disease conditions, a study by a group of health professionals, published in the journal ‘Nature Microbiology’ has shown that Syphilis, a sexually transmitted Disease (STD) could be impossible to treat with key antibiotics due to a new drug resistant strain.

Although, Syphilis in times past was regarded as a death sentence, it has become curable with penicillin injections, but a new aggressive strain of the infection has been observed, according to the study, putting concerns on the effectiveness of the known treatment substances.

Syphilis is a highly contagious disease, spreading primarily by sexual activity, including oral and analsex. Occasionally, the disease can be passed to another person through prolonged kissing or close bodily contact.

While it could also be spread from sores, the vast majority of those sores go unrecognised, as the infected person is often not aware of the disease, and unknowingly passes it on to his or her sexual partner.

Studies have also shown that pregnant women with the disease can spread it to their babies.
This disease, called congenital syphilis, can cause abnormalities or even death to the child.

Syphilis cannot be spread by toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bath tubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.