Mostly transmitted through sexual intercourse. However, it may also be transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy or at birth.

Begins as a firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration appears at  the point of contact (cervix for women, penis for heterosexual males and anus for gays)

After 4-10 weeks it could develop into a symmetrical, reddish-pink, non-itchy rash on the trunk and fingers, toes, palms and soles.  

Other symptoms may include; fever, sore throat, weight loss, hair loss, head ache. 

Final stages looks like balls of inflammation on the skin, bone and liver, and can spread to the nervous system and the heart tissue.

Early stage of syphilis  can be treated by taking a single dose of penicillin G or other recommended antibiotics while late infections recommends to be given large doses of penicillin.

One can treat this using injectable antibiotic but our body grows resistance to the antibiotics as time goes on.

There is no vaccine to prevent Syphilis

Prevention is only through:

• Abstaining
• Proper use of a condom
• Being faithful in a monogamous relationship with one uninfected partner