Yaws can be contracted by contact with soil.

Yaws (tropical syphilis) – an infectious disease that, in its clinical course, resembles a syphilitic infection and is characterized by the formation of a primary chancre, followed by the formation of secondary efflorescences, their spread to the entire skin, damage to the joints, mucous membranes, and bones. In the first period of the disease, a red, oval-shaped ulcer appears, its bottom is covered with vegetation - it resembles a raspberry. Hence the beautiful name of the disease - yaws, which in French means raspberry. The causative agent of yaws is Treponema pertenue Castellani, first discovered in Ceylon.

How does yaws spread? Risk groups

The antigenic properties of the causative agent of yaws and syphilis are very similar, which causes cross-immunity between these  diseases. The disease is common among poor people in countries with hot, tropical and humid climates. Epidemic for yaws are the countries of South America (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, etc.), as well as Central Africa, South Asia and Oceania.

Infection most often occurs through contact with soil containing yaws pathogens. Infection is also possible through direct contact with the patient (sexual, close household). Known cases of infection by yaws from insects.  Children are most often infected.

The highest degree of damage to children is observed in preschool, school and adolescence due to the fact that in these age groups passive immunity is gradually weakened, while active production of protective antibodies is formed slowly, notes estet-portal.com . In puberty, the degree of active immunity increases, and therefore the incidence rate between the ages of 16 and 20 years decreases slightly. Large crowds, poor personal hygiene and poor sanitation of housing contribute to the spread of yaws.

Symptoms of yaws and its difference from syphilis

Yaws in its clinical course resembles a syphilitic infection.

Yaws is characterized by primary affect (chancre) and further formation of secondary efflorescences spreading to the entire skin, lesions of mucous membranes, bones, joints.

Unlike syphilis, there is no damage to the internal organs and nervous system. Yaws is characterized by a cyclical flow.

Yaws flow periods:

• Incubation - an average of 3-4 weeks. Unlike syphilis, which does not have a prodromal period, yaws is characterized by a prodromal period that begins with headache, body aches, fever, general malaise.
• Primary period. It begins with the appearance of a chancre.
• Secondary period. It develops on average 2-4 months after the onset of the disease. The manifestations of the secondary period are the occurrence of single or numerous papillomatous vegetative rashes – pianoma (yaws) on the skin of the scalp, in areas of skin folds and around natural openings.
• Tertiary period. This period of yaws begins in the absence of treatment immediately after the secondary period or after several years. It is manifested by the formation of gums with their further ulceration. Healing of ulcers occurs with the formation of scars. Bone damage is a typical sign of the tertiary period of the disease. If the gummy process is localized on the face, damage to the bones of the nose and hard palate occurs. Saber-shaped shins also develop, deforming monodactylitis. Unlike syphilis, yaws does not have a congenital form of the disease.

Aspects of treatment, prevention and prognosis of yaws

Treatment of yaws involves the use of etiotropic drugs aimed at eradicating the infectious agent. Penicillin or its durant preparations (bicillin, extencillin) are prescribed. Other antibiotics, such as tetracyclines or cephalosporins, may also be used. Individualized symptomatic and local therapy is also carried out.

The disease rarely ends in death, but it has a chronic course and can lead to disability. Therefore, early identification of patients with yaws and their treatment is the key to a healthy population.