What is syphilis?

What is syphilis?

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum, is a common infection worldwide with an estimated 10-12 million new infections each year. The bacteria can spread through lesions in the skin or genital mucosal area. Syphilis can progress from a genital lesion to a systemic disorder involving multiple organs.

How does syphilis spread

The bacteria that causes syphilis is spread thru lesions in the skin or genital mucosal area. The bacterium infects and damages the body’s tissue.

Outside of the human body, the bacteria cannot survive and dies quickly. Therefore, syphilis cannot be transmitted through contact with toilet seats, door knobs, swimming activities, or clothing.

Syphilis is caused by infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Transmission from one person to another is by direct contact with an infectious lesion (usually occurring during sexual contact), during preg- nancy from mother to child or via infected blood products.(presenting after the age of 2 years).

Entry of T. pallidum probably occurs through areas of ‘microtrauma’, usually in mucous membranes, and most sexual transmission of syphilis probably occurs from the genital lesions of primary and secondary syphilis.