Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis is caused by sexual relations with an infected person. Syphilis affects skin, mucous membrane and genitals. In syphilis sores occur on rectum, vagina, anus and external genitals. Some times, sores also occur in mouth and on the lips of infected person. Syphilis spreads from one person to another through direct contact with syphilis sores during sex.
Syphilis spreads during vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected person. Syphilis bacteria can enter the body through minor cuts or abrasions in the skin. Syphilis is also caused by transfusion of infected blood to a healthy person. It also spreads from infected mother to newly born baby.
In the primary stage, multiple sores appear on the skin. These sores are firm, round, painless and these sores usually appear near that part of the body from where the syphilis bacteria entered the body. If this disease is not treated properly, then the infection advances to secondary stage. In secondary stage, several reddish-brown rashes appear on the skin. Other symptoms of this disease are: weight loss, fever, swollen lymph nodes, patchy hair loss, sore throat and weakness. In the last stage, this disease becomes very dangerous and damages internal vital organs of body like liver, bones, brain, heart, blood vessels and joints. This results in the death of the patient.
If this disease is diagnosed at early stage then it can be cured. Penicillin is very much effective to cure this disease. Person who is undergoing syphilis treatment must avoid sexual relations with his partner until the sores are completely healed. Always use latex condoms during sex. Avoid excessive use of alcohol, which leads to unsafe sexual practices. Be honest with your life partner.