Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In most cases, syphilis infection is caused by the transmission of the organism during sexual contact. It can also be passed from mother to infant during pregnancy, resulting in congenital syphilis. Because the symptoms of syphilis are diverse and resemble those of many other diseases, the infection is often referred to as the Great Imitator.

Common early signs and symptoms include painless ulcers on the genitalia and fever. Syphilis can be cured with penicillin in the early stages of infection, while untreated syphilis can progress to cause severe and permanent damage to the cardiovascular and nervous systems, resulting in disability and sometimes death. Advances in clinical screening and treatment combined with ongoing public ...