Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually transmitted through sexual contact. The disease starts with a painless wound in the genitals, the rectum or the mouth and develops in stages , affecting everyone who comes in direct contact with the ulcers it causes on the skin and the mucous membranes.

After the initial infection the bacterium of syphilis can remain inert for several decades before it activates. Syphilis in early stages is curable and many times an injectable dose on penicillin will suffice. If it is not treated it can cause severe damage to the heart, the brain and other organs even threaten the life of the patient.