Syphilis (매독)

The disease syphilis has been called a laundry list of names throughout history. It's been known as the great pox and the French disease after an epidemic among French soldiers. But modern science settled on syphilis in honor of a shepherd in ancient Greek mythology who was cursed by the gods to suffer from a horrible disease. Physicians have dubbed it " the great imitator" because its signs and symptoms mimic those of many other diseases.

 

So what, exactly, is this condition of many monikers? An infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, syphilis is transmitted by direct contact with a sore. These sores primarily occur on the penis, vagina, anus, or rectum; they can also appear on the lips or in the mouth. Pregnant women can pass on the disease to their babies. (Contrary to popular belief, syphilis cannot be transferred through toilet seats, hot tubs, or baths.) Every year, about 36,000 Americans contract syphilis.

 

왜냐하면 증상이 잠복해 있기 때문에 많은 사람들이 매독을 가지고 있다는 걸 깨닫기도 전에 수년동안 질병을 끌고 가기 때문이다. 그러나 평균적으로 처음 증상이 나타날 때 한달 정도 걸린다. 이러한 초기 단계에서는 상처(성병이라고도 불리는) 혹은 다발성의 상처들이 발현된다. 그것들은 자주 스스로 치유되기도 하지만, 만약 치유되지 않는다면 상처가 없어지고 난 후에 질병이 더욱 발전이 된다. 다음 단계에서는 손과 발에 벌건 반점이 생기고, 피로감, 한기, 목구멍 통증이 나타난다. 치료하지 않게 되면 내부 장기 즉 심장, 뇌, 간, 뼈, 관절 등을 침범한다. 다행스럽게도 이 질병은 간단한 혈액 검사로 진단되어 진다. 항생제 코스, 전통적인 페니실린으로 그 박테리아를 주로 없애버릴 수 있다.

 

The Italian physician and writer Girolamo Fracastoro (1478-1553) gave the disease the name syphilis in 1530.

 

People with syphilis are up to five times more likely to contract HIV, because the virus is more easily transmitted through the sores.

 

An untreated case of syphilis can lead to aneurysms that compress vocal cords, causing the sufferer to speak in a husky voice. This became known as a "prostitute's whisper" in the 14th century.