Syphilis: This Ancient Disease Is Still Dangerous

Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Syphilis is a disease of ancient times that is still of major importance today. In the worst cases, syphilis can cause mental illness, blindness, deafness, memory loss or other neurological problems, heart disease, or even death. Caused by a bacterium, syphilis is most often transmitted sexually, but it also can be passed from mother to infant during pregnancy.

The number of cases of syphilis in the United States increased from 5,979 in 2000 to 7,352 in 2004. Syphilis cases have increased dramatically in some populations, and the disease disproportionately affects African Americans. The presence of syphilis can increase a person’s risk of becoming infected with or transmitting HIV.

NIAID has updated its Health Matters fact sheet on syphilis. Learn how to prevent the disease, recognize its symptoms, and why it can be difficult to diagnose. The fact sheet also discussed complications syphilis can cause in pregnant women, as well as treatment and details of current research by NIAID.

Next Steps
You can learn more about syphilis by reading the fact sheet at www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdsyph.htm.