Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity. The risk of sexual transmission of syphilis can be reduced by using a latex or polyurethane condom. In , about Syphilis can present in one of four different stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary, and may also occur congenitally.
Primary syphilis is typically acquired by direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person. Secondary syphilis occurs approximately four to ten weeks after the primary infection.
Latent syphilis is defined as having serologic proof of infection without symptoms of disease. Gummatous syphilis or late benign syphilis usually occurs 1 to 46 years after the initial infection, with an average of 15 years. Cardiovascular syphilis usually occurs 10—30 years after the initial infection. Neurosyphilis refers to an infection involving the central nervous system. Involvement of the central nervous system in syphilis either asymptomatic or symptomatic can occur at any stage of the infection.
Meningovascular syphilis involves inflammation of the small and medium arteries of the central nervous system. It can present between 1—10 years after the initial infection. Meningovascular syphilis is characterized by stroke, cranial nerve palsies and spinal cord inflammation.
General paresis presents with dementia, personality changes, delusions, seizures, psychosis and depression. Congenital syphilis is that which is transmitted during pregnancy or during birth. Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum is a spiral-shaped, Gram-negative , highly mobile bacterium. Syphilis is transmitted primarily by sexual contact or during pregnancy from a mother to her baby; the bacterium is able to pass through intact mucous membranes or compromised skin.
