Syhillis

Syhillis Syphilis Syphilis, a complex, sexually transmitted disease (STD) with a highly variable clinical course. Its initial stage is characterized by highly infectious open sores at the site of infection. OrganismTreponema pallidum is a bacterium. Occurrence In the United States, more than 68,000 cases of syphilis in adults and more than 1,500 cases of congenital syphilis in newborns were detected by public health officials in 1995. More cases occur each year than come to the attention of health officials. The eight states with the highest syphilis rates in 1995 were located in the Southern region of the U.S. These states had rates that were 2 - 12 times higher than the overall national rate. In 1995, 84% of the U.S. counties with the highest syphilis rates were located in Southern states. Transmission The syphilis bacterium is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores mainly occur on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or rectum. Sores can also occur on the lips and in the mouth. Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying. syphilis, sores, person, symptoms, sex, stage, bacterium, infection, disease, blood, treatment, infected, damage, after, rates, rash, health, baby, weeks, untreated, states, sore, skin, rashes, pregnant, partners, newborns, mouth, chancre, born, body, antibodies, adults, year, treated, test