Syphilis

SYPHILIS WHAT IS SYPHILIS AND HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED? Syphilis is a curable infection caused by the corkscrew shaped bacteria [spirochete] Treponema pallidum. The bacteria enter the body through mucous membranes or abraded skin and once inside, syphilis enters the blood stream and attaches to cells, damaging organs over time. In 90% of cases, the spirochete is transmitted by sexual contact. Transmission by blood transfusion is possible but rare; not only because blood products are screened …

…for the disease. This includes all contacts for the past three months in cases of primary syphilis and for the past year in cases of secondary disease. Prenatal testing of pregnant women Pregnant women should be tested for syphilis at the time of their first visit for prenatal care, and again shortly before delivery. Proper treatment of secondary syphilis in the mother reduces the risk of congenital syphilis in the infant from 90% to less than 2%.