What is it?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium called Treponema Pallidum.

How do you get it?

Any contact with these infectious sores and other infected tissues and body fluids.

What are the symptoms of Syphilis?

The first symptom of primary syphilis is an ulcer called a chancre ("shan-ker"). The chancre can appear within 10 days to three months after exposure, but it generally appears within two to six weeks. Secondary syphilis is often marked by a skin rash that is characterized by brown sores about the size of a penny. The rash appears anywhere from three to six weeks after the chancre appears.

How do you treat Syphilis?

Syphilis usually is treated with penicillin, administered by injection. Other antibiotics can be used for patients allergic to penicillin. A person usually can no longer transmit syphilis 24 hours after beginning therapy.

Some people, however, do not respond to the usual doses of penicillin. Therefore, it is important that people being treated for syphilis have periodic blood tests to check that the infectious agent has been completely destroyed.

Persons with neurosyphilis may need to be retested for up to two years after treatment.

In all stages of syphilis, proper treatment will cure the disease, but in late syphilis, damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed.

What can I do to avoid getting infected with Syphilis?

Abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only certain way to avoid being infected. If you haven't had sex, your chances of getting syphilis are small. Already had sex? Get checked out.

If you are involved sexually you need to know the risks...

• Your partner may not know he/she has an STD - 80% infected do not know their condition.

• Your partner may not tell you the truth if he/she has been sexually active in the past.

STDs are not always prevented with condom use

• Some STDs transmit skin to skin

• Condoms have a 17% failure rate; that is 1 in 6

• You can have an STD and have no symptoms for weeks, months, possibly years. STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist

• Teens are much more susceptible to STD damage because they have a lower level of antibodies than adults

• It is extremely important to see a doctor for a checkup if you -- or your partner -- have had a sexual experience outside of marriage even though no symptoms exist