HERPETIFORM SYPHILIDE Meaning and
Definition
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A herpetiform syphilide is a cutaneous manifestation of the infectious disease syphilis. It refers to a specific type of skin rash that resembles the appearance of herpes lesions, hence the term "herpetiform." Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which is typically transmitted through sexual contact but can also be transferred through nonsexual exposure to infected blood.
The herpetiform syphilide is characterized by the presence of small, raised, and grouped papules or blisters on the skin. These lesions typically appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; however, they can also occur in other areas of the body. The rash is usually painless and can be accompanied by other symptoms of secondary syphilis, such as flu-like symptoms, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
The term "herpetiform" is used to describe the skin lesions' resemblance to the blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus. However, unlike herpes, herpetiform syphilides are not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person through direct contact.
The herpetiform syphilide is an important clinical indicator of secondary syphilis and can aid in the diagnosis of the disease. It is crucial to promptly identify and treat syphilis to prevent further complications and transmission. Medical evaluation and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential for the management of herpetiform syphilides and the underlying syphilis infection.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HERPETIFORM SYPHILIDE
- gerpetiform syphilide
- berpetiform syphilide
- nerpetiform syphilide
- jerpetiform syphilide
- uerpetiform syphilide
- yerpetiform syphilide
- hwrpetiform syphilide
- hsrpetiform syphilide
- hdrpetiform syphilide
- hrrpetiform syphilide
- h4rpetiform syphilide
- h3rpetiform syphilide
- heepetiform syphilide
- hedpetiform syphilide
- hefpetiform syphilide
- hetpetiform syphilide
- he5petiform syphilide
- he4petiform syphilide
- heroetiform syphilide
- herletiform syphilide
Etymology of HERPETIFORM SYPHILIDE
The word "herpetiform syphilide" has an etymology derived from the Latin and Greek languages. Here is a breakdown of its components:
1. Herpetiform: The word "herpetiform" comes from the Greek word "herpeton", meaning "creeping thing" or "reptile". In medical terminology, "herpetiform" refers to a skin condition resembling the appearance of a rash caused by herpes viruses.
2. Syphilide: The term "syphilide" is derived from the Latin word "syphilis", which itself originates from the Greek word "syphilis" or "syphilē", named after the mythical shepherd named Syphilus. He was believed to be the first victim of the disease. "Syphilide" is used to describe skin manifestations or rashes resulting from syphilis infection.
