| Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) | | | | myriad; before the advent of serological testing, |
| caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. | | | | diagnosis was more difficult and the disease was |
| The initial infection causes an ulcer at the site of | | | | dubbed the "Great Imitator" because it was so often |
| infection; however, the bacteria move throughout | | | | confused with other diseases. |
| the body, damaging many organs over time. Medical | | | | Syphilis is spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex |
| experts describe the course of the disease by | | | | during the infection's primary, secondary, and early |
| dividing it into four stages -- primary, secondary, | | | | latent stages. The bacterium is usually transmitted by |
| latent, and tertiary (late). An infected person who | | | | direct contact between mucous membranes of the |
| has not been treated may infect others during the | | | | genitals, mouth, or anus; or by broken skin coming |
| first two stages, which usually last one to two years. | | | | into contact with open syphilitic sores. An infected |
| Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections | | | | mother can pass syphilis through the placenta to her |
| that can be transferred from one person to another | | | | developing fetus. Reinfection after cure is possible. |
| through any type of sexual contact. STDs are | | | | The primary phase usually starts with a sore at the |
| sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted | | | | site of infection. The sore or lesion is called a chancre |
| infections (STIs) since they involve the transmission | | | | (pronounced shanker). This sore usually appears as a |
| of a disease-causing organism from one person to | | | | craterlike lesion on the male or female genitals, |
| another during sexual activity. It is important to | | | | although any part of the body is at risk. Anyone who |
| realize that sexual contact includes more than just | | | | touches an infected sore can transmit the infection. |
| sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal). | | | | This initial lesion develops 3-4 weeks after infection |
| Syphilis is passed from person to person through | | | | and heals spontaneously after 1 week. Though the |
| direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly | | | | sore goes away, the disease does not. |
| on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the | | | | There are three stages of syphilis, along with an |
| rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the | | | | inactive (latent) stage. Formation of an ulcer |
| mouth. Transmission of the organism occurs during | | | | (chancre) is the first stage. The chancre develops |
| vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the | | | | any time from 10 to 90 days after infection, with an |
| disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying. | | | | average time of 21 days following infection until the |
| Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet | | | | first symptoms develop. Syphilis is highly contagious |
| seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, | | | | when the ulcer is present. The infection can be |
| bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils. | | | | transmitted from contact with the ulcer which teems |
| Syphilis can be acquired or congenital. Primary syphilis | | | | with spirochetes. If the ulcer is outside of the vagina |
| occurs within 3 weeks of contact with an infected | | | | or on the male's scrotum, condoms may not prevent |
| individual. Syphilis has many alternate names, including | | | | transmission of the infection by contact. Similarly, if |
| syph, Cupid's Disease, the Pox, lues, and the French | | | | the ulcer is in the mouth, merely kissing the infected |
| disease. The signs and symptoms of syphilis are | | | | individual can spread the infection. |