syphilis
Sign in to saveSyphilis () is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The signs and symptoms depend on the stage it presents: primary, secondary, latent or tertiary. The primary stage classically presents with a single chancre (a firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration usually between 1 cm and 2 cm in diameter), though there may be multiple sores. In secondary syphilis, a diffuse rash occurs, which frequently involves the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There may also be sores in the mouth or vagina. Latent syphilis has no symptom
AI overview
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria that progresses through different stages, each with distinct symptoms ranging from skin sores in the early stages to a rash that can spread across the body. It matters because it can cause serious health problems if left untreated, though the symptoms and progression vary depending on which stage of the infection a person is in.
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Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Syphilis
- Medical condition (new).image
- Treponema pallidum Bacteria (Syphilis) (cropped).jpg
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Colorized electron micrograph of Treponema pallidum bacteria, 2022
- Medical condition (new).field
- Infectious disease
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulcer
- Medical condition (new).causes
- Treponema pallidum, usually spread by sexual intercourse
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
- Blood tests, dark field microscopy of infected fluid
- Medical condition (new).differential
- Many other diseases
- Medical condition (new).prevention
- Condoms, Long-term monogamous relationships
- Medical condition (new).treatment
- Antibiotics
- Medical condition (new).frequency
Article
32 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Primary
- Secondary
- Latent
- Tertiary
- Congenital
- Cause
- Bacteriology
- Transmission
- Diagnosis
- Blood tests
- Direct testing
- Prevention
- Vaccine
- Sex
- Congenital disease
- Screening
- Treatment
- Historic use of mercury
- Early infections
- Late infections
- Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction
- Pregnancy
- Epidemiology
- History
- Origin, spread and discovery
- Arts and literature
- Tuskegee and Guatemala studies
- Names
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Syphilis () is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The signs and symptoms depend on the stage it presents: primary, secondary, latent or tertiary. The primary stage classically presents with a single chancre (a firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration usually between 1 cm and 2 cm in diameter), though there may be multiple sores. In secondary syphilis, a diffuse rash occurs, which frequently involves the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There may also be sores in the mouth or vagina. Latent syphilis has no symptoms and can last years. In tertiary syphilis, there are gummas (soft, non-cancerous growths), neurological problems, or heart symptoms. Syphilis has been known as "the great imitator", because it may cause symptoms similar to many other diseases.
Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity. It may also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis. Other diseases caused by Treponema bacteria include yaws (T. pallidum subspecies pertenue), pinta (T. carateum), and nonvenereal endemic syphilis (T. pallidum subspecies endemicum). These three diseases are not typically sexually transmitted. Diagnosis is usually made by using blood tests; the bacteria can also be detected using dark field microscopy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) recommends for all pregnant women to be tested.