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Syphilis is a [[sexually transmitted disease]] caused by the [[bacteria]] ''Treponema pallidum''. Syphilis originated in the [[New World]] and was introduced to [[Europe]] in the late 15th century by [[Spain|Spanish]] explorers returning from the New World. <ref>[http://www.archaeology.org/9701/newsbriefs/syphilis.html  Origins of Syphilis]</ref>. The first European record of a syphilis epidemic was in 1493, a year after the explorer [[Columbus]] discovered [[America]].

'''Syphilis''' is a [[sexually transmitted disease]] caused by the [[bacteria]] ''Treponema pallidum''. Syphilis originated in the [[New World]] and was introduced to [[Europe]] in the late 15th century by [[Spain|Spanish]] explorers returning from the New World.<ref>[http://www.archaeology.org/9701/newsbriefs/syphilis.html  Origins of Syphilis]</ref> The first European record of a syphilis epidemic was in 1493, a year after the explorer [[Columbus]] discovered [[America]].

==Causes, incidence, and risk factors==

==Causes, incidence, and risk factors==

[[Image:Ro0304F8Treponema.jpg|thumbnail|175px|right|Syphilis is an easily spread infection caused by the [[bacteria]] [[Treponema pallidum|Treponema pallidum]]]]

[[Image:Ro0304F8Treponema.jpg|thumbnail|175px|right|Syphilis is an easily spread infection caused by the [[bacteria]] [[Treponema pallidum]]]]

Syphilis is an infectious disease. The bacteria that causes it spreads through broken skin or mucous membranes. It is most often spread by sexual contact.

Syphilis is an infectious disease. The bacteria that causes it spreads through broken skin or mucous membranes. It is most often spread by sexual contact.

Syphilis has several stages.  

Syphilis has several stages.  

Primary syphilis is the first stage. Painless sores ( chancres ) form about 2-3 weeks after you are first infected. You may not notice the sores or any symptoms, particularly if the sores are inside the rectum or cervix. The sores disappear in about 4-6 weeks.  

Primary syphilis is the first stage. Painless sores ( chancres ) form about 2–3 weeks after you are first infected. You may not notice the sores or any symptoms, particularly if the sores are inside the rectum or cervix. The sores disappear in about 4–6 weeks.  

Secondary syphilis occurs about 2-8 weeks after the first sores form. About 33% of those who do not have primary syphilis treated will develop this second stage.  

Secondary syphilis occurs about 2–8 weeks after the first sores form. About 33% of those who do not have primary syphilis treated will develop this second stage.  

Tertiary syphilis is the final stage of syphilis. The infection spreads to the brain, nervous system, heart, skin, and bones.

Tertiary syphilis is the final stage of syphilis. The infection spreads to the brain, nervous system, heart, skin, and bones.

A person undergoing Syphilis treatment must have follow-up blood tests at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to make sure the infection is gone. They should avoid sexual conduct until two follow-up tests show that the infection has been cured. Syphilis is extremely contagious in the primary and secondary stages.  

A person undergoing Syphilis treatment must have follow-up blood tests at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to make sure the infection is gone. They should avoid sexual conduct until two follow-up tests show that the infection has been cured. Syphilis is extremely contagious in the primary and secondary stages.  

Syphilis is a reportable infection -- that means that doctors must reported any cases of syphilis to public health authorities, so that potentially infected sexual partners may be identified and treated.

Syphilis is a reportable infection—that means that doctors must reported any cases of syphilis to public health authorities, so that potentially infected sexual partners may be identified and treated.

==Expectations (prognosis)==

==Expectations (prognosis)==