Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Spread of infection

sexual contact
from mother to infant during pregnancy
non-sexual contact such as the presence of syphilis in donated blood, and sharing needles.

Incubation period

9 – 90 days

The signs of syphilis can be so mild that the infected person remains unnoticed. The disease develops in four stages with different symptoms

Primary syphilis

In 2 to 4 weeks after infection, the genitals develop a painless sore (chancre). Men are more likely to notice an infection while it can be hard for women to notice the symptoms as the infected area can be hidden from view.
The sore normally heals in 2 to 6 weeks with or without treatment. The infected person might consider it healed, but in fact the bacteria remain intact in the body.

Secondary syphilis

The body is extensively covered by rash, often on palms and soles.
The infected person develops flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, fever, swollen lymph glands and hair loss.
The symptoms eventually disappear and syphilis progresses to the latent stage.

Latent syphilis

If the infected person does not receive treatment in the primary and secondary stages, syphilis progresses to the latent stage, at which time the infection becomes dormant for years without showing any sign or symptom, yet the infection is detectable by a blood test.
Without treatment in the latent stage, syphilis progresses to the tertiary stage.

The tertiary stage

The tertiary stage of syphilis typically occurs between 3 to 7 years after the infection.
The bacteria cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, eyes, internal organs and the central nervous system. In severe cases, the infected persons may die of complications.
Syphilis can be passed from mother to infant during fetal development, resulting in stillbirth. New born baby infected syphilis from the mother may have health complications such as blindness or deafness.