Patient T.G (25 years old, Ho Chi Minh City), was diagnosed with late-stage syphilis. According to patient G.'s sharing, previously there were signs of small ulcers on the skin, rash in the palms of his hands and feet and mild fever. Subjectively, the patient only arbitrarily bought medicine for treatment, until the symptoms became more severe, he went to the hospital for examination and was diagnosed with late-stage syphilis by the doctor.
According to MSc.BS Tran Doan Thien Quoc, Department of Andrology, Binh Dan Hospital, gonorrhea and syphilis are still two sexually transmitted diseases common in Vietnam. Worryingly, many patients, due to psychological fear, have chosen to self-explore information online, even relying on artificial intelligence tools to self-diagnose and buy treatment drugs, leading to many serious consequences.
Clinical reality shows that sexually transmitted diseases include not only gonorrhea and syphilis, but also 14–15 other agents such as Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma,... with quite similar symptoms. Syphilis can cause skin lesions in the form of warts, ulcers; while gonorrhea often manifests as painful urination, burning urine, and pus urination. However, just relying on external manifestations is very confusing, causing the treatment to be in the wrong direction.
Doctor Thien Quoc emphasized that arbitrarily using drugs, especially antibiotics, without testing can cause the disease not to be thoroughly controlled, and at the same time increase the resistance of bacteria to drugs. Currently, medical literature has recorded the situation of "super gonorrhea", gonorrhea bacteria are resistant to many types of antibiotics. Many cases have to be treated for many weeks, even hospitalized for strong antibiotics but still cannot completely eliminate bacteria.
Another risk is that patients with social diseases easily overlook the co-infection. Lesions caused by gonorrhea and syphilis break down the body's natural protective barriers, creating conditions for HIV and other agents to invade. In particular, with gonorrhea, bacteria tend to spread to the testicles, the organ that produces sperm, thereby increasing the risk of testicular inflammation, seriously affecting fertility if not treated properly and adequately.
Regarding syphilis, Dr. Thien Quoc warned that the disease progresses through many stages. Initial lesions are usually painless and easily overlooked. When the disease enters a late stage, even if bacteria have been destroyed, lesions in the heart, nerves or skin can become permanent and irreversible.
From this reality, MSc. Dr. Tran Doan Thien Quoc recommends that when there are signs of suspected sexually transmitted diseases or risky behaviors, people should proactively go to medical facilities for examination and complete tests. Correct treatment and compliance with re-examination not only help cure the disease but also protect reproductive health and prevent the risk of infection for the community.
