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| Use of Rapid Syphilis Tests (The) |
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| Nonserial Publication |
| World Health Organization |
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ISBN-13
9789241547192
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ISBN-10
9241547197
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Order Number
11500707
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Price
CHF
10.00
/
US$
12.00
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Developing countries:
CHF
7.00
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English
2007
30
pages
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| Summary |
Syphilis is a curable infection caused by a bacterium called Treponema
pallidum. This infection is sexually transmitted, and can also be passed
on from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy. As a cause of genital
ulcer disease, syphilis has been associated with an increased risk of HIV
transmission and acquisition.
Most persons with syphilis tend to be unaware of their infection and
they can transmit the infection to their sexual contacts or, in the case
of a pregnant woman, to her unborn child. If left untreated, syphilis
can cause serious consequences such as stillbirth, prematurity and
neonatal deaths. Adverse outcomes of pregnancy are preventable if
the infection is detected and treated before mid-second trimester.
Early detection and treatment is also critical in preventing severe long
term complications in the patient and onward transmission to sexual
partners. Congenital syphilis kills more than one million babies a year
worldwide but is preventable if infected mothers are identified and
treated appropriately as early as possible.
Rapid tests for syphilis are now commercially available. These are simple
point of care tests and can be performed outside a laboratory setting
with minimal training and no equipment using a small amount of whole
blood collected by a finger prick. Hence they can address the problems
associated with lack of access to a laboratory and the low patient return
rates.
This useful manual provides a general overview on the use of rapid syphilis tests, their purchase, transport and storage. |
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