Syphilis is an STD caused by an organism called a spirochete. It can remain in the body for life and lead to disfigurement, neurologic disorder, or death. The annual number of reported cases of syphilis in the U.S. has dropped to 70,000 because of effective antibiotics and increased condom use.

• Sexual contact (vaginal, oral or anal) with someone who has syphilis
• Any contact of sores during primary and secondary stages of syphilis
• Mother to fetus during pregnancy (if mother is infected)

Primary (1st stage): Painless sores on the mouth, penis, vagina, anus or elsewhere on the body. If you don’t treat it, the sore will go away in a couple of weeks, but syphilis is still present in the body (many people with syphilis may not notice the sores). They often appear from 3 weeks to 90 days after infection and last 3 to 6 weeks.

Secondary (2nd stage): A body rash may appear 6 to 12 weeks after sores appear. The rash may come and go for up to 2 years and often appear in the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. They may also experience new sores, fever, sore throat, body aches, hair loss, and swollen glands

Tertiary (3rd stage): Serious damage may occur to the nervous system, heart, brain, or other organs and death may result.

• Sores examined
• Blood test

• Antibiotics
• Hospitalization may be necessary

• May cause severe damage to heart and/or brain and may lead to death
• Mother to fetus, causing severe damage or death