Syphilis (SIFF-ih-liss) is a highly contagious disease that can lead to blindness, insanity, or even death, if left untreated. It's transmitted by vaginal and anal intercourse, oral-genital contact, and in a few cases, by kissing, if the organism contacts broken skin. Syphilis has three stages. In the primary stage, hard, painless sores called chancres (SHANK-erz) appear on the genitals, vagina, anus, and sometimes the breasts or lips. Chancres occur anywhere from ten days to three months after exposure. Sores typically last two to four weeks, and ooze a clear, highly infectious liquid. Often, they come and go without notice. During the secondary stage, syphilis enters the bloodstream. Common symptoms include rashes on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, swollen lymph glands, and fever. When secondary symptoms fade, the disease moves into a latent (LAY-tunt) phase. After one year of latent syphilis, a person is not as contagious, though a fetus can still be infected by its mother, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects. One to 25 years after the secondary stage, tertiary (TER-shee-air-ree) syphilis can begin, causing irreversible damage to organs like the brain, heart, and liver. Special penicillin injections are required to treat syphilis. An infected person should wait for at least one month after treatment before resuming sexual activity. For more information on syphilis, consult a health care provider.
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