Oscar Wilde is remembered for his larger-than-life persona and witty, biting works of literature; but did he also have syphilis, the sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium that was once a scourge of Europe? While researchers now believe the answer is most likely no, there was enough of a scientific connection at the time that it was not only suspected, but discussed in certain circles.
Wilde was first accused of having syphilis in 1885. At the time, people who seemed socially or sexually deviant were often assumed to have the disease, and Wilde’s flamboyant manner was just such a fit. Additionally, rumors had been spreading that French common-law wife or mistress Lillie Langtry had died of the disease, which only drove home the idea that Wilde himself might have had it.
Fortunately, there is now much broader scientific understanding that by the time Wilde was first accused, he could not have had syphilis. Historian Nancy Bristow explains that this is because the bacterium that causes the disease was not discovered until the 1890s. As a result, Wilde’s eccentric behavior was actually more likely to be a symptom of his heredity: his father was known to be a wild presence himself.
However, it was not only rumors that drove speculation of Wilde’s illness: his work and life decisions were also suspect. In 1895, Wilde took to the theater to present “The Importance of Being Earnest”. He had planned to premier his symposium of merriment with a star-studded audience; however, due to his less-than-ideal networking skills, the audience was much more sparse.
It was also later that year – just before he was arrested for his sexuality – that Wilde was forced to appear in court in order to contest an accusation of syphilis by a former lover who threatened to take him to court. Wilde was able to successfully prove his innocence with a sworn deposition of medical records that he had been examined several weeks earlier and come back clear. With the deposition cleared, Wilde was able to put the matter to rest.
That being said, Wilde’s health and lifestyle were not without issues. He was known to indulge in socially “unacceptable” behavior, engage in promiscuous activities, and drink and smoke to toxic levels on a regular basis; all of which could contribute to his overall health and well-being, or lack thereof.
Yet there was only speculation that Oscar had syphilis and no definitive clinical proof that he did in fact suffer from the disease according to Dr. Roberta Krellstein’s entry about Wilde in the Dictionary of Medical Biography made in 2007. From the evidence provided and through further scientific investigations it is safe to say that Oscar Wilde did not have syphilis.
Signs and Symptoms
When present, the signs and symptoms of syphilis can vary depending on how far the condition has progressed. These symptoms can be classified as primary, secondary, latent and tertiary stages. The primary stage symptoms are small, painless sores at the site of infection. These sores, known as chancres, can appear during the first 2-6 weeks of infection and may take up to a year to heal. Secondary-stage signs and symptoms typically appear 4-8 weeks after the appearance of the sores. These can include skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, and sore throat. Symptoms of the latent stage are often mild and may not be noticed by the patient. Tertiary syphilis may present as gummas (painless nodules), cardiovascular syphilis, or neurosyphilis.
Diagnosis
Syphilis can be diagnosed using both physical and laboratory tests. To determine whether a person is infected with the syphilis bacterium, a doctor may order a blood test, which looks for antibodies to the bacteria that cause the condition. These antibodies can remain in the body even after the infection has been treated. In addition, a doctor may order a darkfield microscopy, a laboratory test that looks for bacteria directly in the samples taken from an affected area, such as a sore.
Treatment and Prevention
The treatment of syphilis depends in part on the stage of the condition. In the primary and secondary stages, the primary treatment is antibiotics such as penicillin. For those who cannot take penicillin, other antibiotics may be used. Treatment for the late stages of syphilis can be more difficult and may involve additional medications. Treatment for neurosyphilis may include antibiotics, such as penicillin, and supportive treatments, such as physical therapy, as needed.
Complications
Left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and mental disorders. Additionally, pregnant women with syphilis have a greater chance of experiencing a miscarriage, stillbirth, or Birth complications, such as low birth weight. As such, it is important to get tested and treated promptly if you are experiencing any symptoms of this condition.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for syphilis infection include unprotected sexual contact; having multiple sexual partners; having contact with an infected partner; having unprotected sex with someone infected with syphilis; having a weakened immune system; and being a sex worker. In addition, any sexually active person is at risk of contracting syphilis, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no definite proof that Oscar Wilde had syphilis and further scientific investigations have come up with a negative result. Although his lifestyle and certain decisions he made in his life were somewhat suspect, the fact that the bacterium that caused the disease was not discovered until the 1890s means Wilde had no access to the diagnosis or treatment of syphilis.
