An 83-year-old man compounded the confusion surrounding the disease by presenting a rare case of syphilis that attacked his liver. Having married the same woman 51 years ago, he still lives in that same city with his wife. This baffling diagnosis, marked by the long history of the disease and long-term effects of the condition, especially in elderly patients.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that progresses through three distinct stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Each stage comes with its own set of symptoms and health complications. During the initial, or primary stage, a chancre, or painless sore, appears at the spot where the bacteria entered the body. If you fail to get the infection taken care of, it’ll develop into the secondary stage. This intermediate stage can result in a systemic bacterial infection and induce symptoms such as rash, malaise, anorexia, arthralgia, edema, febrile response, and pharyngitis.
Physicians noted that secondary syphilis typically occurs within 1 year after an untreated primary infection. They pointed out that it shows up very infrequently after the first four years. Out of the four cases, the scenario involving the older man is perhaps the most unusual. Syphilis involving the liver is even rarer, occurring in less than 10 percent of cases. Without treatment, tertiary syphilis can drastically damage vital organs such as the heart and central nervous system. These late-stage symptoms take a terrible toll on your health.
He has significant liver complications that further stages, or the tertiary stage, of the disease. Such late-stage infections can lead to facial paralysis, swelling of the brain and other organs, and death. Diagnosing syphilis in patients over 60 can sometimes be a challenge. Further complicating the process, latent infections can reactivate years after the original infection likely occurred.
“In this particular case, more recent, unreported exposure must be considered,” stated the doctors involved in the man’s care. Their evaluation points to the importance of a complete patient history for STI diagnosis. This is particularly critical for older adults, who frequently are not viewed as high risk.
Even considering the man’s 25-year long marriage, the potential for recent exposure adds a worrisome twist to the comprehension of his condition. The doctors explained that syphilis can remain dormant for years before reemerging in its late stage, making it difficult to trace its origin accurately.
This case is a sad reminder of the lingering health threats that syphilis and STIs pose. Yet they are universal, touching the lives of both young and old, married and single. Although many might not think of STIs as an issue for an older population, this case shows that those who are older are not immune.
The symptoms that have developed due to this man’s late-stage syphilis caused alarm in regard to his health and treatment possibilities. Without fast treatment, syphilis could cause serious complications. The doctors confirmed that it is crucial to address such infections even in elderly patients to prevent further health deterioration.
