The surprising link between political strategy and health policies
Syphilis can also cause problems with the skin, bones, testicles, liver, and any other organ.
However, if a person has not been treated for syphilis, the infection will still be in their body. This means that they can still pass it onto others and are still at risk of developing serious problems later on.
After penicillin became generally available in the 1940s, the number of deaths due to syphilis decreased dramatically.
If left untreated, syphilis can cause heart problems (such as angina and heart failure), brain issues (such as seizures and memory problems), and nerve problems (such as shooting pains and joint pain).
Prior to that, however, syphilis was fairly rampant, and there are a number of famous historical figures who are now believed to have contracted the disease.
The problems that syphilis can cause are potentially life-threatening, and they may not appear until years after the person is initially infected.
It can take up to three weeks for the initial symptoms to appear, and sometimes they go away completely on their own.
Early symptoms include small sores on the genitals and other areas, a rash on the palms of the hands and/or feet, and flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, headache, and fever.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that, if left untreated, can cause serious and potentially life-threatening health problems.
The early symptoms of syphilis can be mild and difficult to notice. They may change over time, and they have a tendency to come and go.
Rumor had it that Baudelaire contracted a syphilis infection from one of the many people with whom he conducted an affair.
Sources: (NHS) (Discover Walks)
See also: Diseases that killed these famous historical figures
Last but not least is Charles Baudelaire, a French poet and writer who was rumored to have picked up syphilis because of his association with Bohemian culture.
Indeed, Flaubert was known for having a very decadent lifestyle that included a lot of travel and many affairs.
Then there’s Henry VIII, the notorious Tudor king of England. While there is no definitive evidence that this monarch suffered from syphilis, there is certainly speculation among historians.
Ivan the Terrible was a Russian ruler during the 1500s. Famous for his exceptional cruelty and brutality, Ivan the Terrible managed to rule with an iron fist despite significant health concerns.
He is said to have contracted syphilis during the 1560s and suffered from symptoms such as chronic pain and physical disfigurement.
Next up is another Russian Ivan: decorated physiologist and Nobel Prize winner Ivan Pavlov, who is best known for his work on classical conditioning.
It is believed that Ivan Pavlov caught syphilis during his youth in the late 1800s, at a time when syphilis was spreading quickly through Russia.
Just like others before him, Wilde was overcome by shame at discovering he had the infection, and he kept it a secret from those around him.
Another famous Irish writer who is said to have battled syphilis is Oscar Wilde. He supposedly picked up the infection while at university in Oxford.
Irish novelist and poet James Joyce is widely considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. His life was blighted, however, by a series of health problems.
French artist Paul Gauguin is widely believed to have contracted a syphilis infection during the late 1800s.
The artist’s health is said to have declined significantly due to the disease during the later years of his life.
One of those problems was probably syphilis, which he is believed to have contracted from a sex worker during the early 1900s.
First on the list is Adolf Hitler. The leader of the Third Reich is believed to have contracted syphilis in his youth and was supposedly treated for the infection at a hospital in Pasewalk.
Ashamed of his condition, he kept it hidden from the public, even though it was devastating for his health and caused him many problems in later years.
In the case of this ruthless dictator, syphilis is believed to have caused erratic behavior, paranoid delusions, and impaired decision-making.
Notorious American gangster Al Capone suffered from syphilis, which he is believed to have contracted while working as a bouncer at a brothel.
When we think of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), there are certain ones that spring immediately to mind (think chlamydia and gonorrhea). Our minds might not immediately go to syphilis, an STI that was rife in centuries gone by. Often considered a disease of the past, syphilis is still around today, but it is thankfully far less common.
Curiously, although there is not always conclusive evidence, historians are fairly certain that there are a number of famous personalities from history who contracted this nasty infection. Intrigued? Check out this gallery to find out which famous figures allegedly suffered from syphilis.
Famous figures affected by syphilis
Historical personalities who contracted this nasty infection
LIFESTYLE History
When we think of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), there are certain ones that spring immediately to mind (think chlamydia and gonorrhea). Our minds might not immediately go to syphilis, an STI that was rife in centuries gone by. Often considered a disease of the past, syphilis is still around today, but it is thankfully far less common.
Curiously, although there is not always conclusive evidence, historians are fairly certain that there are a number of famous personalities from history who contracted this nasty infection. Intrigued? Check out this gallery to find out which famous figures allegedly suffered from syphilis.