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Syphilis is an infection caused by bacteria. Most often it spreads through sexual contact.

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Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum

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Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum

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Syphilis can progress through 4 different stages. The infection causes different symptoms in each stage

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The disease starts as a sore that's often painless and typically appears on the genitals, rectum and mouth

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About 1 to 6 months after the syphilis sore goes away a rash appears. You may also have symptoms such as

Fever

Fatigue

Wart like sores

Muscle aches

Weight loss

Hair loss

Swollen lymph nodes

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People are very contagious in the 1st and 2nd stages and can easily pass the infection to their sex partners.

Syphilis at stage 1 or 2 is still treatable and easily to diagnose by an experienced physician

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If you don't receive treatment during the first two stages the infection moves into the latent stage

In this stage there are no signs or symptoms of syphilis

At this stage the infection can damage your heart, bones, nerves and organs.

This stage can last up to 20 years

It is rare to pass syphilis to your partner during the latent stage

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About 20% of people progress to the late syphilis phase which causes serious health problems. These problems occur slowly

Brain damage

Dementia

Movement disorders

Muscle problems

Nerve damage

Seizure

Vision problems including blindness

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Babies can also get syphilis. Congenital syphilis is the disease that happen when people pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy. Up to half of all babies infected with syphilis in the womb dies shortly before or after birth.

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Penicillin is the preferred drug for treating syphilis. This antibiotic medicine can kill the bacteria that causes syphilis