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Your social status may determine your likelihood of contracting Syphilis as European merchants, soldiers, and prostitutes were most likely to get the disease [1]. Also, it was culturally acceptable for European men to sexually abuse women, often women were offered as rewards to successful men [2]. This increased the rate of spread of the disease.

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Venereal Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum [1]. The bacterium is spread from person to person via contact with infected sores, typically occurring during sex [1].

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The Syphilis bacterium Treponema pallidum originated in the New World [1]. When Europeans first traveled to the New World, they contracted Syphilis and brought it back to Europe [1]. Then, Syphilis easily spread throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa [1].

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Individuals engaging in sexual relations with multiple people are at an increased likelihood of catching and spreading Syphilis [1]. Europeans who traveled to the New World often sexually exploited Native women [2]. Also, back in Europe, prostitutes were very common [1].

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[1] "Columbian Exchange," 2010
[2] Ford, Class Slides #22, Module 2 - Session 11, 10/12/2021

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Health Outcome:
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, symptoms were much more severe than today, including genital ulcers, rashes, large tumors, pain, and dementia [1]. Often, Syphilis infection was fatal [1].

Population:
In the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, Syphilis severely impacted Europeans [1]. Syphilis originates in the New World and was spread to Christopher Columbus’ crew when they traveled to Hispaniola in 1493 [1]. Upon returning to Europe, these voyagers spread the disease to prostitutes, who spread it to other Europeans [1]. The Europeans heavily affected by the disease were traveling merchants or soldiers and prostitutes [1]. After a mere five years, Syphilis was an epidemic in Europe