Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease that can be controlled with appropriate drug therapy. In the absence of treatment, the disease can cause a number of health and life-threatening disorders. Syphilis can cause permanent damage to the heart, brain, muscles, bones, and eyes. To reduce the risk of infection, the use of protective equipment during sexual intercourse is recommended. Syphilis is an infection caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The disease is most often transmitted through sexual contact. The infection spreads from person to person through direct contact with the wound. It can also be passed to a baby during pregnancy and childbirth, and sometimes through breastfeeding. Syphilis symptoms vary depending on which of the four phases the disease is in�primary, secondary, latent, or tertiary. It is also possible that they overlap. In some cases, symptoms may not appear for years after infection. The first manifestation is usually a sore in the genital area, rectum or mouth, which is usually painless. It is called a hard chancre. In most cases, it is only one, but several may appear. It forms about three weeks after infectious contact and heals on its own within 3 to 6 weeks. In the second stage of the disease, the appearance of a rash is possible. It usually does not itch, may look rough, be red, reddish-brown, or barely noticeable. Appears in the chest, abdomen, pelvis and back. Over time, it can also spread to the extremities, palms of the hands, and feet. Other symptoms that may occur during this period include hair loss, muscle aches, chills, sore throat, fatigue, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms of secondary syphilis may go away on their own, but without treatment they may persist for months or years. In the absence of therapy, secondary syphilis can go into latent, also called hidden, because of the lack of symptoms. The latent stage can last for years and symptoms may never appear again. However, after time, serious complications can appear – tertiary syphilis. After the latent stage, about 30 to 40% of untreated infected people have complications, also called late syphilis. Disorders can occur many years after the initial untreated infection. It is typical to affect the brain, nervous system, vision, heart and blood vessels, liver, as well as bones and joints. The prognosis in the absence of treatment for syphilis is serious, and for this reason, making a diagnosis and taking appropriate measures is of primary importance for the patient’s health. References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351756 https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm https://my. clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4622-syphilis https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/