Curable STDs - Infections

Syphilis or Lues (popular names: siff, pox, bad blood)

The bacterium causing syphilis (lat. treponema pallidum)

1. What is it?
Syphilis (sometimes also called lues) is a dangerous bacterial infection. It is usually transmitted through sexual contact, but can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby before or during birth.

2. What causes it?
Syhilis is caused by a bacterium called a spirochete or, with its scientific name, treponema pallidum. Its shape resembled that of a spiral or corkscrew, and it was discovered by the German bacteriologist Fritz Schaudinn in 1905.

3. How is it transmitted?
Syphilis can be transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact, and even through kissing. The bacteria spread from the infected person’s open sores, skin lesions or rashes to the uninfected partner through tiny, invisible breaks in the skin or mucous membranes. From there, the bacteria enter the lymph nodes and the bloodstream, spreading rapidly throughout the body.
Syphilis can also be transmitted from the bloodstream of an infected pregnant woman directly into the bloodstream of her unborn baby. Many such babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth. An infected newborn must be treated immediately. (In these cases, doctors speak of congenital syphilis or lues connata).
Outside the human body, the syphilis bacteria cannot survive more than a few seconds. It is therefore practically impossible to contract syphilis from toilet seats, bath tubs, towels, bed linens, or other such objects.