Frequently Asked Questions
SYPHILIS

What is SYPHILIS?			Syphilis is a complex sexually transmitted disease (STD) 	
					caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is often 	
					called "the great imitator" because many of its signs and 	
					symptoms resemble those of other diseases.

How do people				Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact       
get syphilis?				with a syphilis sore, or ulcer. Sores occur mainly on the 	
					external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also 
					can occur on the lips and in the mouth which means that it can 
					also be spread by kissing someone with a sore in their mouth 
					or on their lips. Transmission of the organism occurs during 
					vaginal, anal or oral sex. 

What are the signs and			There are four stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, latent 
symptoms of syphilis			and tertiary. 
in adults?	
					Primary Stage
					The primary stage of syphilis is usually marked by the 	
					appearance of a single sore (called a chancre), but there may 
					be multiple sores. The chancre is usually firm, round, small, 
					and painless. If adequate treatment is not administered, the 
					infection progresses to the secondary stage.

					Secondary Stage
					The second stage starts when one or more areas of the skin 
					break into a rash that usually does not itch. The rash often 	
					appears as rough, red or reddish brown spots both on the 	
					palms of the hands and on the bottoms of the feet. In addition 
					to rashes, second-stage symptoms can include fever, swollen 
					lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight 
					loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. 

					Latent Stage
					The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when the 	
					secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the 	
					infected person still has syphilis even though there are no 	
					signs or symptoms. It remains in the body, and it may begin to 
					damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, 
					heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. This internal 	
					damage may show up many years later in the late or tertiary 
					stage of syphilis.


					Tertiary Stage
					Late stage signs and symptoms include not being able to 	
					coordinate muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual 
					blindness and dementia. This damage may be serious enough 
					to cause death.

Can a newborn				Yes. Depending on how long a pregnant woman has been  
get syphilis?				infected, she has a good chance of having a stillbirth (syphilitic 
					stillbirth) or of giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth. 
					If not treated immediately, an infected baby may be born 	
					without symptoms but could develop them within a few weeks. 
					These signs and symptoms can be very serious. Untreated 
					babies may become developmentally delayed, have seizures, 
					die.

How is syphilis				There are laboratory tests to diagnose syphilis. Shortly after
diagnosed?				infection occurs, the body produces syphilis antibodies that 
					can be detected by a blood test. A low level of antibodies will 
					stay in the blood for months or years even after the disease 
					was successfully treated.

How is syphilis treated?		Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages. A single 
					intramuscular injection of penicillin, an antibiotic, will cure a 
					person who has had syphilis for less than a year. Additional 
					doses are needed to treat someone who has had syphilis for 
					longer than a year.

Will syphilis recur?			Having syphilis once does not protect a person from getting it 
					again. Following successful treatment, people can still be 	
					susceptible to re-infection.

How can syphilis			The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted 
be prevented?				diseases, including syphilis, is to abstain from sexual contact 
					or to be in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner 
					who was tested and is known to be uninfected. Correct and 
					consistent use of latex or polyurethane condoms can reduce 
					the risk of syphilis only when the infected area or site of 	
					potential exposure (the sore) is protected.

For more information:			Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at                                            				1-800-232-4636, TTY: 1-888-232-6348 In English en Espaņol. 
 
 
 
Contact Number: STD Program, (302) 744-1050
Revised: 03/2007
Doc. # 35-05-20/07/03/15