Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is acquired through direct sexual contact with an infected person.  It is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called Treponema pallidum.  The bacteria, called spirochetes, can pass from an infected lesion through intact mucous membranes and abraded skin; they can then be carried by the blood stream to every organ in the body.

There are three stages of syphilis, Primary, Secondary, and Latent.  The primary, or first stage of syphilis, is the most infectious stage of the disease.  The first clinical sign is the "chancre", or lesion or sore, that is usually not painful.  This sore develops at the original site of infection 10 to 90 days after inoculation.  The chancre may be seen on lips, tongue, tonsil, nipples, fingers, and anus.  Even if the individual does not receive treatment for syphilis at this stage, the chancre will go away.

Primary Syphilis
Chancre of anterior cheek

Without medication syphilis will advance to the secondary stage.  Skin and mucous membrane lesions characterize the secondary stage of syphilis. Skin lesions are usually dry and bilaterally symmetrical.  They may occur on the hands, feet, face and upper torso.  Hair loss of the scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows can occur.

Lesions of the mucous membranes may appear in the mouth, throat, cervix and genital area.  These symptoms may last 2 to 6 weeks and may reoccur.  These symptoms may also go away with or without treatment. 

The latent stage of syphilis is the stage in which no clinical signs or symptoms are present to suggest infection.  This stage of syphilis, occurring less than one year since the onset of symptoms, is called "early latent".  The late latent stage occurs when more than a year has passed since the individual became infected and there are no signs of disease.  The late latent stage of syphilis is also defined as "neurosyphilis" or "cardiovascular syphilis".  In this stage, serious complications may have developed from the lack of proper treatment for the infection.

Pregnant women infected with syphilis pose a great risk to the unborn child if they do not receive adequate treatment.  Early congenital syphilis may be characterized by the appearance of signs and symptoms before the age 2 years.  Some of the symptoms are: cutaneous lesions, maculopapular eruptions, mucous membrane lesions, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and bone involvement.  Symptoms of latent congenital syphilis may appear beyond 2 years of age.  They are: interstitial keratitis, mulberry or moon's molars, Hutchinson's teeth, clutton's joints.  If you are pregnant, please ask your doctor to screen you for syphilis.