Despite its romantic image, powered by several films and screenplays of the past, syphilis is one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases. It has spread all over the world, and unfortunately, is still growing. In just the United States alone there are about 36,000 cases of syphilis every year, in both men and women. Recently, syphilis has reappeared in European countries as well. In Italy, it has gone from 150-200 cases to over 1500 per year!

Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum, a very invasive spiral-shaped bacterium (spirochete). The infection is contracted through sexual intercourse with an infected person, and the spirochete penetrates the body through the skin (especially if there are micro-abrasions) or through the oral mucosa, the vagina, the penis or the rectum. At the point where the bacterium has penetrated, a small, painless nodule forms first, followed a few days later by a small wound that, after releasing a large amount of spirochetes, heals by itself. It is very contagious at this stage, and if the infection is not treated properly, it can evolve into the subsequent states. After a couple of months, non-itchy red spots appear on the skin, accompanied by joint pain, muscle pain, fever and swelling of all the glands in the body. After another three to four months, the disease seems to be healed, but remains contagious for at least two years. If it continues to be untreated, the infection evolves in a subtle and silent way, creating serious complications that may even become fatal: aortic rupture, heart attack, liver and bone damage, blindness, paralysis and brain damage with severe psychiatric symptoms.

Syphilis can exist without symptoms for years, and be transmitted from one partner to another during unprotected sex, without either being aware of it. Condoms protect against contagion. Syphilis is diagnosed through a very careful medical examination and numerous laboratory tests.

It's fairly easy to cure in the early stages, but more complex when the disease is advanced. The treatment of choice is penicillin and its derivatives, under a doctor's supervision. Other antibiotics can also be used to eliminate the bacteria and prevent future damage, but it's not possible to repair damage that has already occurred, which is irreversible. During the entire treatment, it is essential to avoid contact and unprotected sex in order to minimize the risk of reinfection.