Syphilis is a viral infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact.
Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) is transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex and can be passed to a newborn baby through an infected mother during vaginal childbirth. Unlike many STDs and STIs, syphilis does have signs and symptoms. The problem is that the signs and symptoms of syphilis mimic many other ailments and is often overlooked and undiagnosed. Treatment is easy and usually leads to a complete recovery especially in the early stages. Early detection is best.
Syphilis is one of the most well known and oldest sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted infections. History alludes to many well known figures in history suspected of having syphilis. Until penicillin was discovered, there was not an effective cure, therefore, many carried the disease through all three stages, eventually becoming insane. Syphilis is best known for causing insanity, but what many don’t realize is that this STD/STI can damage the heart, aorta, brain, eyes and bones.
According to the CDC, the spread of syphilis decreased significantly in the 1990s, new cases started to rise again in 2001 and continue to do so today.
