The Syphilis bacterium is very fragile, and the infection is almost always transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person. The bacterium spreads from the initial ulcer (sore) of an infected person to the skin or mucous membranes (linings) of the genital area, mouth, or anus of an uninfected sexual partner. It also can pass through broken skin on other parts of the body.
A pregnant woman with syphilis can pass the palladium to her unborn child, who may be born with serious mental and physical problems as a result of this infection. Syphilis can damage the body organs over time. It can also cause mental disorders, blindness, other neuralgic problems, and death.
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