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Introducing syphilis -

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that, if left untreated, can cause serious and potentially life-threatening health problems.

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Symptoms and signs -

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.

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Early symptoms -

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.

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The appearance of symptoms -

It can take up to three weeks for the initial symptoms to appear, and sometimes they go away completely on their own.

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Untreated syphilis -

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.

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Complications -

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).

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Complications -

Syphilis can also cause problems with the skin, bones, testicles, liver, and any other organ.

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Disease lying dormant -

The problems that syphilis can cause are potentially life-threatening, and they may not appear until years after the person is initially infected.

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Numbers -

After penicillin became generally available in the 1940s, the number of deaths due to syphilis decreased dramatically.

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Past figures -

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.

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Adolf Hitler -

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.

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Adolf Hitler -

In the case of this ruthless dictator, syphilis is believed to have caused erratic behavior, paranoid delusions, and impaired decision-making.

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Al Capone -

Notorious American gangster Al Capone suffered from syphilis, which he is believed to have contracted while working as a bouncer at a brothel.

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Al Capone -

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.

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James Joyce -

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.

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James Joyce -

One of those problems was probably syphilis, which he is believed to have contracted from a sex worker during the early 1900s.

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Paul Gauguin -

French artist Paul Gauguin is widely believed to have contracted a syphilis infection during the late 1800s.

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Paul Gauguin -

The artist’s health is said to have declined significantly due to the disease during the later years of his life.

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Oscar Wilde -

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.

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Oscar Wilde -

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.

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Ivan the Terrible -

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.

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Ivan the Terrible -

He is said to have contracted syphilis during the 1560s and suffered from symptoms such as chronic pain and physical disfigurement.

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Ivan Pavlov -

Next up is another Russian Ivan: decorated physiologist and Nobel Prize winner Ivan Pavlov, who is best known for his work on classical conditioning.

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Ivan Pavlov -

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.

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Henry VIII -

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.

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Henry VIII - Syphilis was common in Europe during the 16th century, and is thought that he may have caught it from one of his mistresses.

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Gustave Flaubert - The legendary French novelist is believed to have contracted syphilis while on a trip to the Middle East when he was in his twenties.

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Gustave Flaubert -

Indeed, Flaubert was known for having a very decadent lifestyle that included a lot of travel and many affairs.

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Charles Baudelaire -

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.

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Charles Baudelaire -

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

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