In case you are interested in the neurosyphilis symptoms you should know that this is an infection of the spinal cord and the brain. The problem usually occurs in case of people who had untreated syphilis for several years. In order to avoid the symptoms of this kind, it is important to get treatment as soon as possible.

Common Symptoms of Neurosyphilis

It is common for the people with this condition to have an abnormal walk, confusion, blindness, dementia, headaches, depression, inability to walk, incontinence, irritability, poor concentration, numbness in the feet, legs and toes, stiff neck, seizures, weakness, tremors and visual disturbances.

Tests and Exams

Further neurosyphilis signs include abnormal reflexes, muscle contractions and muscle atrophy. The affected people should have blood tests meant to detect the substances that are produced by the bacteria that caused the infection. One of the common tests is the VDRL test.

Other Tests

If the neurosyphilis symptoms are noticed, the affected people can also have FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption), rapid plasma regain, and TPPA. In case of this condition it is very important to run tests on the spinal fluid in search for the signs of syphilis.

The Nervous System

Since the signs of neurosyphilis also affect the nervous system, the patients should also have tests of the nervous system. These include cerebral angiogram, a head CT scan, lumbar puncture (spinal tab), cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF fluid analysis) and an MRI.

Information about the Neurosyphilis Symptoms

When thinking about the signs of the condition, it is good to know that there are four different forms of the condition. These are asymptomatic, meningovascular, general paresis, and tabesdorsalis. Although they are different on given levels, the symptoms are just about the same.

Treatment

If a patient is affected by the warning signs of neurosyphilis, the most common treatment method is penicillin. This can be injected right into the veins for 10-14 days. It is also possible to take probenecid by mouth several times per day in combination with daily injections into the muscles.

As you can see, the neurosyphilis symptoms are quite specific and they are hard to miss. The sad truth is that in the moment you notice these symptoms, there is no turning back. At this point the condition cannot be treated, but the symptoms can become manageable. Now the goal is to improve the quality of life of the patient.

Know about syphilis structure: click here