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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe cause of syphilis is a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The most common route of transmission is through contact with an infected person's sore during sexual activity. The bacteria enter your body through minor cuts or abrasions in your skin or mucous membranes. Syphilis is contagious during its primary and secondary stages, and sometimes in the early latent period.
Less commonly, syphilis may spread through transfusion of infected blood, through direct unprotected close contact with an active lesion (such as during kissing), or through an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth (congenital syphilis).
Treponema pallidum is sensitive to light, air and changes in temperature. Because of this, you won't get syphilis from using the same toilet, bathtub, clothing or eating utensils as an infected person, or from doorknobs, swimming pools or hot tubs.
- 2006 syphilis surveillance report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis2006/default.htm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis: Questions and answers. American Social Health Association. http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_syphilis.cfm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/syphilis. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis & MSM (men who have sex with men). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/syphilis/STDFact-MSM&Syphilis.htm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/syphilis.cfm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- French P. Syphilis. British Medical Journal. 2007;334:143.
- Syphilis. Planned Parenthood. May 19, 2008. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/syphilis-4281.htm.
- Meyers D, et al. USPSTF recommendations for STI screening. American Family Physician. 2008;77(6):819.
- Chakraborty R, et al. Syphilis is on the increase: The implications for child health. Archives of Diseases in Children. 2008:93(2):105.
- Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/syphilis/multiprint.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Syphilis. In: Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2006;55(RR-11):22. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
- Congenital syphilis. In: Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2006. 55(RR-11):30-33. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/. Accessed Oct. 21, 2008.
