Venereal syphilis occurs frequently; the other treponematoses are rare
Transplacental infection leads to congenital syphilis
Infection via sexual contact
- Incubation period
- Primary syphilis: chancre and lymphadenopathy
- 1st latency period
- Secondary syphilis: rash, condylomata lata, mouth lesions, hepatitis, alopecia
- 2nd latency period
- Tertiary syphilis: gummata, osteitis/periostitis, aortitis
- Neurosyphilis: pupils, chronic meningitis, tabes, Charcot's joints, GPI
Treatment with benzathine penicillin or, as a second choice, doxycycline or ceftriaxone
