infections
Syphilis
Transmission of syphilis
Syphilis is highly contagious during the primary and secondary stages. It may be contagious early in the latent stage. Infection is usually spread through sexual contact. A single sexual encounter with a person who has early-stage syphilis results in infection about one third of the time. The bacteria enter the body through mucous membranes, such as those of the vagina, penis, or mouth, or through the skin. Within hours, the bacteria reach nearby lymph nodes, then spread throughout the body through the bloodstream. Syphilis can also be spread in other ways. It can Syphilis in Newborns , causing birth defects and other problems. People can sometimes get syphilis by contact with infected skin sores. However, the bacteria cannot survive long outside the human body so syphilis is not spread through contact with objects (such as toilet seats, door handles) that have been touched by a person with syphilis. 