Syphilis Health Article

SYPHILIS

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Treponema pallidum, a spirochete that can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. An estimated 70,000 syphilis cases occur in the United States annually.

Without treatment, syphilis in adults progresses through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Persons with syphilis are most infectious during the primary and secondary stages. Primary syphilis is marked by an infectious sore (chancre) that resolves on its own. Without treatment, syphilis bacteria spread through the bloodstream and lead to the secondary stage, which is characterized by a skin rash and systemic symptoms. These symptoms can come and go over one to two years, during which an infected person can infect others. If untreated, the infection progresses to a latent stage. Symptoms disappear, and the disease is no longer infectious, but the bacteria remain in the body and can damage vital organs. In about a third of untreated persons, the results of the internal damage show up years later in the tertiary stage. Symptoms include paralysis, blindness, dementia, impotence, joint damage, heart problems, tumors, and deep sores. The damage can be serious enough to cause death. An untreated pregnant woman in an infectious stage of syphilis can pass the infection to her developing fetus.

Syphilis bacteria can be detected by laboratory examination of material from infectious sores. A safe, accurate, and inexpensive blood screening test is also available. Syphilis is treatable with penicillin. Persons who engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk of STDs should use latex or polyurethane condoms every time they have sex and limit the number of sex partners. Pregnant women should be screened for syphilis. Infected persons should notify all sex partners so they can receive treatment.

ALLISON L. GREENSPAN

JOEL R. GREENSPAN

(SEE ALSO: Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1998). "1998 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 47(RR-1):28–41.

Sparling, P. F. (1999). "Natural History of Syphilis." In Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 3rd edition. eds. K. Holmes, P. Mardh, P. Sparling et al. New York: McGraw-Hill.