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The pathogen that causes syphilis is Treponema Pallidum. It is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with a syphilitic sore(chancre). These sores are located on or around external genitals, vagina, anus, or mouth. The average time to show symptoms is 21 days after acquisition. The symptoms vary depending on the stage the individual is in. In the primary stage, a single chancre (firm, round painless) is present where syphilis entered the body. If untreated, the infection progresses to second stage where skin rashes and/or mucous membrane lesions are present. Secondary syphilis may include fever, sore throat, patchy hair loss and/or headaches. The latent stage presents no visible signs or symptoms. The infection can progress to tertiary syphilis, which produces lesions in the brain and damage to other organs. Prevention methods include protected sexual intercourse. Those at risk are those who participate in unprotected sexual intercourse, and also infants born to infected mothers. Treatment for syphilis is an injection of Benzathine penicillin G (2.4 million units). After appropriate treatment, syphilis does not recur, but reinfection can occur.