5General paresis is not a disease too often seen in the United States or any other developed country anymore. It’s an impairment of the brain brought on by untreated syphilis. Since the invention of penicillin, syphilis rarely progresses to the point of general paresis, but 150 years ago it used to do such extreme damage to the brain that its victims were sent to asylums.
- Practice safe sex by wearing a condom. Letting syphilis progress to a very late stage causes general paresis. Syphilis is most typically contracted through sexual contact. Syphilis can also be passed on to children through birth. For the sake of your health, and the health of your loved ones, wear protection when having sex.Confront your sexual partner about whether she's had syphilis or any other sexually transmitted disease. Opening a dialogue with your partner may make her feel as if she can confide in you. This isn’t a very good way to avoid contracting a STD because most people don’t know they have them when they spread them. Still, it can’t hurt.Go to the doctor at the first sign of syphilitic infection. Early detection equates to more effective treatment. Be honest with yourself. You will know if you have put yourself in a situation where you could possibly have contracted a STD. Instead of being in denial, the best thing you can do is start helping yourself immediately. The symptoms of general paresis include lack of good judgment, lower motivation than normal, memory loss and a delusional or irritable mood.Begin treatment with an antibiotic such as penicillin if you are showing signs of syphilis or general paresis. Penicillin is probably one of the greatest accidents to happen to mankind. Its antibiotic powers have rendered many diseases that were once deadly, such as general paresis, virtually non-existent.Seek immediate emergency medical attention if severe reactions to general paresis occur. The most telling and significant effects of general paresis are seizures and impaired mental faculties. At this point, it becomes your responsibility to make sure that your loved one receive immediate care regardless of what they say. Remember, general paresis affects the sufferer's ability to reason.
