Syphilis is typically a sexually transmitted disease, although it can be passed on in utero from mother to child or through accidental contact of body secretions with an open wound.

It is a disease with many names around the world, and at different points in history, often racist in origin. At one time the French referred to it as the English disease', whilst the Russians called it the Polish disease', and the Arabs called it the Christian disease'.

The first outbreak was perhaps in 1494AD in German troops at the siege of Naples. It spread across Europe often causing death as it was far more fatal than it is today. Many historical figures, including Charles VIII, Adolf Hitler, and JFK are alleged to have had syphilis.

Primary syphilis has an incubation period averaging 21 days but perhaps lasting 10-90 days and involving a painless sore called a chancre, typically on the penis, vagina or rectum. This may last for 4-6 weeks.

Secondary syphilis involves a skin rash typically occurring 6-8 weeks after primary infection, although this could be anything from 1-6 months. The rash is symmetrical and reddish-pink. This can manifest as whitish lesions on the moist areas of the body. Other common symptoms can include fever, sore throat, and headache although there are many other low frequency symptoms.

Tertiary syphilis can take anything from one year to ten years to appear in an untreated individual. It involves tumor-like growths that can appear anywhere on the body. Severe symptoms can include degeneration of joints, personality changes, and cardiovascular complaints that can cause death.

Treatment for syphilis may involve penicillin or some other antibiotic. Injection of benzathine penicillin is the most effective treatment. Oral treatment tends to be less effective because of the number of people who fail to complete the course of treatment. Azithromycin is another treatment, although it is becoming obsolete as resistant strains of syphilis are appearing. Without treatment the nervous system, heart, brain, and eyes can all be damaged.

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