Summary
- A common sexually transmitted infection. Approximately 10 million to 12 million new infections worldwide each year.
- Caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum, subspecies pallidum.
- Clinical presentation is often asymptomatic, but can manifest in a number of ways.
- Diagnosis is usually straightforward after clinical examination and serological tests. Treatment is with penicillin.
- Untreated syphilis facilitates HIV transmission and causes considerable morbidity, such as cardiovascular and neurological disease, as well as a congenital syndrome in the newborn.
- Syphilis in pregnancy is a major cause of miscarriage, stillbirth, and perinatal morbidity and mortality in some parts of the world.
Other related conditions
- Assessment of maculopapular rash
- Genital warts
- Overview of sexually transmitted diseases
- Herpes simplex infection
- Chancroid
- HIV infection
- Assessment of dementia
- Alzheimer's dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Scabies
- Atopic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Lichen planus
- Assessment of lymphadenopathy
- Assessment of fever of unknown origin
- Uveitis
- Assessment of acute headache
- Overview of meningitis
- Assessment of cranial nerve mononeuropathy
- Assessment of hearing loss
- Assessment of nephrotic syndrome
- Glomerulonephritis
- Assessment of ataxia
- Faecal incontinence in adults
- Aortic regurgitation
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Generalised seizures
- Assessment of oral ulceration
- Assessment of polyneuropathy
- Miscarriage
- Non-allergic rhinitis
Last updated: Nov 01, 2012
