Syphilis can be a tricky disease to diagnose—especially when a patient may not be sharing the whole story.
Doctors in Belgium met with a real head-scratcher when an 83-year-old married man came in with a rare form of secondary syphilis—the second of four stages of the sexually transmitted bacterial infection that has been called a “master of disguise.”
The man told doctors up front that he was in a monogamous 50-year-long marriage and had been sexually inactive in recent years following treatment for cancer. In a Clinical Problem-Solving report published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors laid out the step-by-step tests and reasoning they used to get to the right diagnosis, which still didn’t answer all their questions.
This post highlights an important aspect of health that often goes overlooked. It’s a reminder that age doesn’t shield anyone from potential health issues. Thank you for shedding light on such a complex topic!
health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age. It’s also a good point that communication with healthcare providers is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Regular check-ups can really help catch these kinds of issues early.