infections
Syphilis
Introduction
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteriaTreponema pallidum. It can occur in three stages of symptoms, separated by periods of apparent good health. Syphilis begins with a painless sore at the infection site and, in the second stage, causes a rash, fever, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite. If untreated, the third stage of syphilis can damage the aorta, brain, spinal cord, and other organs. Doctors usually do two types of blood tests to confirm that a person has syphilis. Treatment is with penicillin, which can eliminate the infection. Using condoms during genital sex can help prevent passing syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from one person to another. (See also Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) .) In 2020, there were more than 130,000 reported cases of syphilis in the United States. The majority of cases of primary and secondary syphilis occurred in men (81%) and, among men, 53% of cases were in men who have sex with men. The incidence of syphilis has been increasing rapidly in the United States. From 2015 to 2020, the primary and secondary syphilis rate among women increased 147%, and the rate among men increased 34%. Certain conditions and activities (risk factors) increase the risk of getting syphilis. They include the following: Being infected with HIV Practicing unsafe sex—for example, having many sex partners or not using Condoms correctly and regularly People with syphilis often have other STIs. Syphilis causes symptoms in three stages: Primary syphilis Secondary syphilis Tertiary syphilis The stages are separated by periods when no symptoms occur (latent stage). 