http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/syphilis/default.htm
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Syphilis, once a cause of devastating epidemics, now can be effectively controlled with antibiotic therapy. Yet, in many cities of the United States both adult and congenital syphilis are on the rise. Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual contact, but an infected pregnant woman can also pass the disease to her unborn child at birth. In its late stages, untreated syphilis can cause serious heart problems, mental disorders, blindness, other neurological disorders, and death. This brochure describes the symptoms of the various stages of syphilis, diagnosis, and treatment. It also discusses the effects of syphilis in pregnant women and treatment options. Includes statistics. 8 printed pages.