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Syphilis is a chronic, systemic disease caused by a spirochete, Treponema pallidum. Despite availability of sensitive diagnostic tests and effective treatment, it remains a serious health problem . Syphilis is curable with antibiotic treatment. It is spread through sex ; vaginal, anal, and oral. Syphilis is a “skin-to-skin” disease. Syphilis also uses fibronectin molecules to attach to the endothelial surface of the vessels in organs resulting in inflammation and obliteration of the small blood vessels causing vasculitis.

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Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact that starts as a painless sore.

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Treponema pallidum is the pathogen that causes syphilis.

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The first stage involves a painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. After the initial sore heals, the second stage is characterized by a rash. Then, there are no symptoms until the final stage which may occur years later. This final stage can result in damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, or heart.

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Approximately 40% of babies born to women with untreated syphilis can be stillborn or die from the infection as a newborn. Babies born with congenital syphilis can have bone damage, severe anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, nerve problems causing blindness or deafness, meningitis, or skin rashes.

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Eventually, untreated syphilis can lead to damage to the brain, eyes, heart, nerves, bones, joints, and liver. You could also become paralyzed, blind, demented, or lose feeling in the body. Untreated syphilis can also lead to stillborn or developmentally delayed babies.

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When diagnosed and treated in its early stages, syphilis is easy to cure. The preferred treatment at all stages is penicillin, an antibiotic medication that can kill the organism that causes syphilis. If you're allergic to penicillin, your doctor may suggest another antibiotic or recommend penicillin desensitization.