Bacterial Curable

Syphilis

Treponema pallidum

Overview

Bacterial infection that progresses through stages if untreated: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.

Symptoms

Stage 1: Painless sore (chancre)
Stage 2: Rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes
Stage 3: Damage to organs

Prevention

How to Protect Yourself

Condoms (but sores can be outside protected area)
Regular testing
Monogamy
Partner treatment

Potential Complications

Neurosyphilis
Cardiovascular syphilis
Gummas (soft tumor-like growths)
Blindness
Paralysis
Dementia