Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum that is transmitted through direct contact with syphilis sores during sexual activity. It progresses through three stages - primary, secondary, and late stages. Primary symptoms include sores on the genitals or mouth that appear 10-90 days after exposure. Secondary symptoms that may occur months later include rash, fever, sore throat, and fatigue. Late syphilis can cause severe damage to the heart, brain, and nerves years after infection. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics but can be prevented through abstinence, monogamy, condom use, and regular STD testing.

1. SYPHILIS
A Q U I L A H O P K I N S O N
M I C R O B I O L O G Y
FA L L 2 0 1 6

2. WHAT IS SYPHILIS?
• Syphilis is caused by the
bacteria Treponema pallidum.
• Syphilis infection occurs in three
stages:
– Primary stage
– Secondary stage
– Late stage
https://www.britannica.com/science/syphilis#ref
252970
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000861.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/syphilis-

3. HOW DO YOU GET SYPHILIS?
• You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal,
anal, or oral sex.
• Pregnant women with the disease can spread it to their baby.
• Syphilis cannot be spread by toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools,
hot tubs, bath tubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.
https://www.britannica.com/science/syphilis#ref252970
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000861.htm

4. http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/slides/std-slideset.html

5. WHAT ARE
THE
SYMPTOMS?
Early or primary
syphilis
Genitals, mouth,
rectum
Sores appear 10-90
days (average three
weeks) after exposure.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/syphilis/what-are-the-symptoms-of-syphilis
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000861.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/syphilis-
primary/overview.html

6. WHAT ARE THE
SYMPTOMS?
• The secondary stage
– Chills, Fever, General feeling of being ill,
Headache, Joint aches, Muscle aches, Nausea
– Rash may last one to three months and begins
within six weeks to six months after exposure.
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/syphilis/what-are-the-symptoms-of-syphilis
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000861.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/syphilis-
primary/overview.html

7. WHAT ARE
THE
SYMPTOMS?
Latent syphilis
Asymptomatic
Tertiary syphilis
severe problems with
the heart, brain, and
nerves
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/syphilis/what-are-the-symptoms-of-syphilis
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000861.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/syphilis-
primary/overview.html

8. WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR SYPHILIS?
• A single dose of
penicillin is usually
enough to destroy the
infection.
• Syphilis is a curable
disease with prompt
diagnosis and
treatment.
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/syphilis#1
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000861.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/syphilis-
primary/overview.html

9. HOW DO I AVOID GETTING SYPHILIS?
• Abstinence
• Get tested for STDs regularly
• To reduce your risk of syphilis infection:
– Do not engage in sexual activity with a person who is infected.
– Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has
been tested and has negative STD test results
– If you do not know if a sexual partner is infected, use barrier protection in every
sexual encounter.
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/syphilis-
https://www.buzzfeed.com/skarlan/what-the-fck-is-up-with-dental-
dams?utm_term=.ciVPnq9Bx#.gibMXV8qg