SYPHILIS AS AN OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD TO PHYSICIANS

20 December 1952

journal article
research article
Published by American Medical Association (AMA)

Vol. 150 (16) , 1603-1604
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1952.03680160053015

Abstract

Although accidentally acquired syphilis should be uncommon in physicians, a recent survey conducted by Epstein¹suggests that it would be a mistake to ignore the possibility of innocently acquiring syphilis from patients. A total of 51 cases of extragenital chancres in physicians were reported by 32 of 125 dermatologists who answered questionnaires. In 35 instances the syphilitic lesions occurred on the fingers, in 6 instances in the nasal cavity, in 1 on an eyelid, and in 1 on an arm. Otolaryngologists were more frequently affected than any other well-defined group, and in six of them lesions developed. In addition, six cases of accidentally acquired syphilis were observed in interns, residents, and medical students; five cases occurred in general practitioners; and two were detected in pathologists. Routine clinical examination of patients produced infection in seven physicians, while in five physicians syphilis was acquired during obstetric procedures or during pelvic examination

Keywords

SYPHILIS

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