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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffSyphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore on your genitals, mouth or another part of your body. If untreated, syphilis can damage your heart and brain.
Syphilis rates in the United States have been rising since 2000. Nearly two-thirds of new infections occur in men who have sex with men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates have also risen among young women. Syphilis affects a higher percentage of African-Americans than whites.
Syphilis progresses in stages and can lead to serious complications or death. Having syphilis also makes you more vulnerable to HIV. When caught early, syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.
- 2006 syphilis surveillance report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis2006/default.htm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis: Questions and answers. American Social Health Association. http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_syphilis.cfm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/syphilis. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis & MSM (men who have sex with men). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/syphilis/STDFact-MSM&Syphilis.htm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/syphilis.cfm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- French P. Syphilis. British Medical Journal. 2007;334:143.
- Syphilis. Planned Parenthood. May 19, 2008. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/syphilis-4281.htm.
- Meyers D, et al. USPSTF recommendations for STI screening. American Family Physician. 2008;77(6):819.
- Chakraborty R, et al. Syphilis is on the increase: The implications for child health. Archives of Diseases in Children. 2008:93(2):105.
- Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/syphilis/multiprint.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. In: Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2006;55(RR-11):22. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Congenital syphilis. In: Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2006. 55(RR-11):30-33. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
