Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum.

Primary syphilis

Secondary syphilis

Syphilis cannot be contracted through toilet seats, daily activities, hot tubs, or sharing eating utensils or clothing.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore on your genitals, mouth or another part of your body. If untreated, syphilis can damage your heart and brain.
Syphilis progresses in stages and can lead to serious complications or death. Having syphilis also makes you more vulnerable to HIV. When caught early, syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.

Symptoms

Syphilis develops in four stages, and symptoms vary with each stage. But the stages may overlap, and symptoms don't always occur in the same order. You may be infected with syphilis and not notice any symptoms for years.

Primary syphilis

These signs may occur from 10 days to three months after exposure:

A small, firm, painless sore (chancre).
The sore will heal without treatment, but the syphilis infection remains. In some people, syphilis then moves to the secondary stage.

Secondary syphilis

The signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis begin two to 10 weeks after the chancre appears and may include:

Skin rash, often appearing as rough, red or reddish-brown, penny-sized sores, over any area of your body, including your palms and soles
Fever
Fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort
Soreness and aching
Swollen lymph glands
Sore throat
Wart-like sores in the mouth or genital area

These signs and symptoms may disappear within a few weeks or repeatedly come and go for as long as a year.

Latent syphilis

If you aren't treated for syphilis, the disease moves from the secondary to the latent (hidden) stage, when you have no symptoms. The latent stage can last for years. Signs and symptoms may never return, or the disease may progress to the tertiary (third) stage.

Tertiary or late syphilis

About 15 to 30 percent of people infected with syphilis who don't get treatment will develop complications known as tertiary, or late, syphilis. In the late stages, the disease may damage your brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. These problems may occur many years after the original infection.

Some of the signs and symptoms of late syphilis include:

Jerky or uncoordinated muscle movements
Paralysis
Numbness
Gradual blindness
Dementia

Congenital syphilis

If you're pregnant, you may pass syphilis to your unborn baby. Blood containing the bacteria reaches the fetus through the placenta, the organ that nourishes the developing baby. This is known as congenital syphilis.

Most infants born with syphilis have no symptoms of the disease. Almost all develop symptoms by 3 months of age, though some children with congenital syphilis show no signs of the disease until after age 2.

Early signs and symptoms, which occur before the age of two, may include:

"Snuffles" (runny nose)
Skin sores
Rashes
Fever
Jaundice — yellow skin
Infection of the umbilical cord
Anemia
Swollen liver and spleen

If not treated right away, the baby may experience serious problems, including:

Deformities
Tooth abnormalities
Deafness
Developmental delays
Seizures
Death

What is the treatment for syphilis?

Syphilis is treated with various Antibiotics. The amount of reatment depends on the stage of syphilis the patient is in. Pregnant women with a history of allergic reaction to penicillin should undergo penicillin desensitization followed by appropriate penicillin therapy. A baby born with the disease needs daily penicillin treatment for 10 days.

What can be done to prevent the spread of syphilis?

There are number of ways to prevent the spread of syphilis:
• Limit your number of sex partners;
• Use a male or female condom;
• If you think you are infected, avoid sexual contact and visit your local STD clinic, a hospital or your doctor;
• Notify all sexual contacts immediately so they can obtain examination and treatment;
• All pregnant women should receive at least one prenatal blood test for syphilis.

Chlamydia infection is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in humans caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is a major infectious cause of human genital disease. Chlamydia infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide.
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth.
In men, infection of the urethra (urethritis) is usually symptomatic, causing a white discharge from the penis with or without pain on urinating (dysuria).

Occasionally, the conditions spreads to the upper genital tract in women (causing pelvic inflammatory disease) or to the epididymis in men (causing epididymitis). If untreated, chlamydial infections can cause serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences.

Signs and symptoms

Genital disease

Chlamydial cervicitis in a female patient characterized by mucopurulent cervical discharge, erythema, and inflammation.

Male patients may develop a white, cloudy or watery discharge (shown) from the tip of the penis.
Chlamydial infection of the neck of the womb (cervicitis) is a sexually transmitted infection which is asymptomatic for about 50-70% of women infected with the disease.

The infection can be passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Of those who have an asymptomatic infection that is not detected by their doctor, approximately half will develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a generic term for infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. PID can cause scarring inside the reproductive organs, which can later cause serious complications, including chronic pelvic pain, difficulty becoming pregnant, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, and other dangerous complications of pregnancy.

Symptoms that may occur include: unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, pain in the abdomen, painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), fever, painful urination or the urge to urinate more frequently than usual (urinary urgency). Low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.

Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon.

In men, Chlamydia shows symptoms of infectious urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Symptoms that may occur include: a painful or burning sensation when urinating, an unusual discharge from the penis, swollen or tender testicles, or fever. Discharge, or the purulent is generally less viscous and lighter in color than for gonorrhea. If left untreated, it is possible for Chlamydia in men to spread to the testicles causing epididymitis, which in rare cases can cause sterility if not treated within 6 to 8 weeks. Chlamydia is also a potential cause of prostatitis in men.

Perinatal infections

As many as half of all infants born to mothers with chlamydia will be born with the disease. Chlamydia can affect infants by causing spontaneous abortion; premature birth; conjunctivitis, which may lead to blindness; and pneumonia.

Treatment

C. trachomatis infection can be effectively cured with various antibiotics once it is detected.

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a viral infection of the skin. It is caused by poxvirus called the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). Molluscum contagiosum lesions are flesh-colored, dome-shaped, and pearly in appearance. They are often 1–5 millimeters in diameter, with a dimpled center.

The MC rash initially appears as smooth, pearly to flesh-colored, dome-shaped papules. With time, the center becomes soft and indented (umbilicated) with a white curdlike core.

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) that was first described in 1817. It is common worldwide and accounts for about 1% of all skin disorders in the United States.

Typically, the lesion of molluscum begins as a small, painless papule that may become raised up to a pearly, flesh-colored nodule. The papule often has a dimple in the center.

This common viral disease has a higher incidence in children, sexually active adults, the infection is most common in children aged one to ten years old. MC can affect any area of the skin but is most common on the trunk of the body, arms, and legs. It is spread through direct contact or shared items such as clothing or towels.

The virus commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact or touching or scratching the bumps and then touching the skin.
It primarily affects children (boys more often than girls).

Molluscum Contagiosum Causes

Molluscum contagiosum is transmitted by direct contact, either person to person or by shared items, such as clothing, towels, and washcloths.
Outbreaks have occurred in the following settings:

swimming pools,
wrestling matches,
during surgery, by a surgeon with a hand lesion (sore),
having tattoos (rare), and
Sexually: It is likely that genital lesions are sexually transmitted.

Lesions develop within two to three months after exposure. Some doctors consider MC a sexually transmitted disease in adolescents and adults and recommend that people with genital MC be tested for other STDs. However, not all genital lesions in adults are sexually transmitted.

Usually, there is no itching or tenderness, and there are no generalized symptoms such as fever, nausea, or weakness.

Medical Treatment

Removal of lesions reduces the rate of spread to other people as well as from one part of the body to another.

Genital lesions in adults should be treated in order to prevent spread through sexual contact.

The most popular treatments are scraping of the lesions (called curettage) or removal using heat (called cautery) or cold (called cryotherapy, a procedure performed with liquid nitrogen).

In children, the papules typically appear on the face, neck, armpits, hands and arms. In adults, molluscum contagiosum may be a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is usually seen on the genitals, lower abdomen, inner upper thighs and buttocks.

JOCK ITCH or INGUINAL ITCH

It is common fungal infection that effects the skin, inner thighs, buttocks and genitals. It also called as tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin and is one of the most common infections of groin area. This fungal groin infection mainly targets men and adolescent boys. Jock itch can be triggered by friction from clothes and prolonged wetness in the groin area, such as from sweating.

It mostly restricts itself to the creases of the upper thigh, and does not invade the scrotum or the penis. However, it may spread to the anal region and cause itching, pain and burning sensation.

Symptoms

Symptoms include Itching in groin, thighs, skin folds, or anus. There may be red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply-defined edges and are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. Abnormally dark or light skin is also symptom in this condition. Flaking, peeling or cracking skin in your groin. In long standing infections, the rash becomes less itchy and less red and plaques may fuse together.

Generally, people tend to ignore the symptom, then as it aggravates, there is a tendency to buy the creams from the chemist over the counter. This subsides the itching for some time but as the exact cause is not known, generally after some days, again the infection comes back. People keep on trying different creams for years together but they are shy to go to the doctor. There should be the scientific approach to tackle the situation. Seeking doctor’s help in time can cure the infection well in time and further complications can be avoided.

You must have seen, Males standing in a group, talking to their companions & unknowingly scratching their groins areas. Many times they do not know what they are doing, but for others it is very embarrassing particularly when females are there!

There is a continuous distraction due to the itching. The person cannot concentrate and thus undergoes stress. This may disturb the life of the sufferer. So, it is important that such infections should be treated in time.

CAUSES OF JOCK ITCH: –

• Fungi causing jock itch is present on human skin and feed on dead skin. The moist and damp area provides them a perfect environment to grow and breed, particularly people having active life or those who sweat a lot suffer with jock itch frequently.
• People having been weaker immunity or suffering from diseases like diabetes HIV/AIDS are prone to suffer great jock itch.
• People sharing towels, clothes and people involved in activities where they cannot keep groin areas dry most of that time like sportsperson and people in sitting jobs are also at risk of catching jock itch.
• People suffering from other types of fungal infections like athletes foot may also suffer from this condition.
• Infection caused by Candida albicans is also responsible for causing jock itch
• Allergy to soap, washing powder, perfumes (chemical irritants) may also cause jock itch
• Senile pruritis – In old age the sebaceous glands in the skin becomes less active ,the skin looses its natural moisture and tends to become dry which leads to itching
• Jock itch may be contagious. It may be passed from one person to another by skin to skin contact our contact with unwashed clothing
• The presence of public lice, pthirus pubis can be one of the reasons
• Diabetes is marked by high levels of blood sugar which may give rise to groin itching
• Jock itch can also be triggered by friction from clothes and prolonged wetness in the groin area such as sweating
• Normally healthy skin secretes acid on its surface. This acid necessary for health and integrity of the skin, which also acts as a protective barrier. However through malnutrition, constant showers, harsh soaps, lotions and shampoos that removes the acid layer, toxins, poor blood circulation, low oxygen levels in the blood etc, health of the skin is compromised leaving it more vulnerable to fungal outgrowth.
• Eczema may be a cause of itchy groin, particularly in infants. It is described as the inflammation caused by a hypersensitive reaction in the skin. Eczema generally tends to run in families which often have a history of asthma or hay fever.
• Lichen Simplex is a skin condition that results in scratchy and itchy groin area. It may be accompanied with other skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.
• Allergic Reaction the chemical irritants such as detergents, body sprays, creams, ointments, fabric softeners, contraceptive foams or jellies can trigger an allergic reaction in your body. This may, in turn, lead to the formation of itchy, red rashes in groin area.

Examinations and Tests

Eczema, Lichen Simplex and Allergic Reaction are also reasons for if :-

The Doctor can usually diagnose jock itch based on how your skin looks.

Tests are usually not necessary. If tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis, either a culture or a skin lesion biopsy (for example, a scraping of the skin) may be done.

Complications :

• Permanent change in the skin colour of the affected area may occur.
• Secondary bacterial skin infections may occur.

Treatment

Topical treatment is of great importance in treating jock itch. This includes a variety of treatments available in form of creams, lotions, paints, shampoos and medicated powders. The treatment given is in accordance with the severity of the infection.

Mild fungal/jock itch is often treated by a combination of: –

• Washing the groin twice daily with antifungal shampoo.
• Using its topical antifungal cream.
• Severe jock itch is treated by combination of antifungal shampoo, antifungal cream and antifungal oral medicines.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR JOCK ITCH :-

First and foremost, the cause of itching must be ascertained. Without knowing this no treatment would be efficient. Based on the cause, follo wing Ayurvedic treatment can be prescribed:-

 If itiching is due to eczema, paradadi balm can be applied locally on the skin. For severe eczema RASA MANIKYA can be used. Also Dadrughna lepa gives excellent results.
 Shuddha Gandhaka or Gandhak rasayana is an internal medicine to be used with external agents
 Take few neem leaves and grind them with water to make a paste. Add some turmeric to it. Use this paste for local application to the affected area and let it dry for at least 2 hours. Jock itch usually responds promptly to treatment.
 For fungal infections in females YONI PICHU is a therapy whereby cleaned sterilized cotton is dipped in medicated oil and placed within the vaginal passage. The swab/ cloth roll should be retained for a long time so that it exhibits action locally.Ulcers if present heal, pain subsides and local hygiene improves. This treatment is particularly useful in case of a vaginal infections and can be done using Bala taila (oil), Ashwagandha taila (oil), Phala ghruta, Triphala ghrut etc.
 YONI PRAKSHALANAM is also ayurvedic therapy for females. By this method by Vaginal area is cleaned with medicated oils and decoctions. PRAKSHALANAM the means washing /cleansing. Thus it is a gentle cleansing measure of genital organs to avoid fungal or yeast infections.For this a decoction of Triphala or Dashmoola can be used.
 Another Ayurvedic effective therapy is YONI DHUPAN. Groin Area is exposed to fumes of medicinal herbs (dhup). Herbs such as Daru Haridra, Lodhra Turmeric, Mangistha, Sariva etc.

Some Ayurvedic medicines which work as blood purifiers are used for skin itching such as Kishor guggal, Raktadoshnta kadha, khadiraristham, Nimbadi Kashayam, Maha Manjisthadi Kadha etc.

Home Remedies

These are some simple home remedies which the patient should try for any skin ailments. It gives effective results and prevent further infections.

• Avoid overexertion and workout routines, which may cause excess sweating.
• Keep your genital and groin area clean and dry.
• Saltwater tub bath is one of the simplest and effective home remedies for jock itch. Sought had still trying the infection and also inhibits the spread and growth of fungi.
• Increase in take of Garlic, fruit and vegetables is supportive diet during infections.
• Have a cup of yoghurt daily.
• Change undergarments twice or thrice daily.
• Alcohol can be used as a topical application for treating jock itch but it aggravates the infection if taken internally and hence completely avoid alcohol intake during infection.
• A decoction of licorice when applied locally with a cotton swab is also effective
• Use coconut oil in the affected areas as often as possible
• Wash the groin with the diluted juice of a freshly squeezed lemon which can help to dry rash
• Keep your blood sugar level under control if you have Diabetes.
Avoid using substances that you suspect contain the chemical allergens.
• Do not share cloths, bath suits and towels with anyone.
Wear clothes after the groin area is completely dry after bathing.
• Lose weight in case you are overweight. This will provide you relief from itchy groin.
• Resist the urge to scratch or itch as they will only aggravate the condition.

Prevention

Since fungi tend to thrive in warm, dark, damp conditions, minimizing these conditions can help treat and prevent this rash. Some useful measures are:

1. Thoroughly clean the area is bit a hand-held shower and mild soap.
2. Keep your groin clean and dry at all times. If you are prone to jock itch, then cover your groin with antifungal or drying powders after you take a bath.
3. Avoid clothing or underwear that irritates the area. Choose loose fitting clothes with smooth fabrics that let your skin breath (like 100% cotton) rather than synthetic fibers. Wearing boxer underwear or no underwear, increasing air-flow by sleeping near a fan, wearing loose sleepwear or no sleepwear etc.
4. Exposing the area to wind and sun.
5. Take utmost care of personal hygiene
6. Refrain from scratching as it will irritate the rash and break the skin, creating the potential for infection.
7. Keep your blood sugar under control if you have diabetes
8. Do not share towels, hair brush, comb or clothes.

श्री विष्णुसहस्रनाम स्तोत्रातील वैश्विक चैतन्य: डॉ. श्रीनिवास कशाळीकर
लेखांक १२.
भीष्म उवाच
जगत्प्रभुं देवदेवन्तम पुरुषोत्तमम्
स्तुवन्नामसहस्रेण पुरुषसततोत्थित: -६.
भीष्माचार्य म्हणाले, “सर्व जगाचा (चराचर विश्वाचा) स्वामी, देवांचा देव (आपण देव म्हणून किंवा सर्वश्रेष्ठ म्हणून जी कल्पना करू शकतो त्या भ्रामक कल्पनेपलिकडे असलेला) आणि अनंत म्हणजे आपल्या जाणीवेतील सर्व मर्यादित आणि नश्वर विश्वाच्या अतीत असा पुरुषोत्तम आहे. अर्थपूर्ण अशा त्याच्या एक हजार नामांच्या आधारे त्याचे स्मरण (जप) आणि स्तुती करून आपण उद्धरले जातो. (आपल्या जडत्वातून आणि अज्ञानातून मुक्त आणि जागृत होत जातो).
तमेव चार्च्ययन्नित्यं भक्त्या पुरुषमव्ययम्
ध्यायन्स्तुवन्नमस्यंश्च यजमानस्तमेवच – ७.
भीष्माचार्य मग म्हणाले, “आपल्या सर्वांच्या अंतर्यामी असलेल्या ह्या अविनाशी सत्याला सगुण रूप देऊन त्या पुरुषाची भक्तिपूर्वक पूजा अर्चा करावी. त्याचे ध्यान करावे आणि त्याची स्तुती करावी. त्याला नमन करावे”.
ह्याचा मथितार्थ असा की, ह्या अविनाशी तत्वाबद्दल आपल्याला असलेली सुप्त ओढ, तिच्या विरुद्ध असणाऱ्या आपल्या वासनांमुळे दुबळी होते हे जाणून त्या सर्व वासना आणि आशा आकांक्षा; जाणीवपूर्वक आणि सतत त्या पुरुषाच्याकडे वळवायच्या. अशा तऱ्हेने; सर्वान्तर्यामी नियंत्रक प्रभुत्वाने वसणाऱ्या ह्या सत्ताधीशाचा ध्यास घ्यायचा, सर्व लक्ष त्याच्यावरच केंद्रित करायचे, त्याच्याबद्दलची आपली नितांत पण सुप्त आवड मनात घोळवून ती आवड व्यक्त आणि दृढ करणारी स्तुती करायची; आणि त्याच्यापासून दूर नेणारे आपले सर्व संकुचित अस्तित्व त्याच्या चरणावर संपूर्णपणे झोकून द्यायचे, त्याच्या पायावर लोळण घ्यायची!