Medical Concept of Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted, systemic chronic infectious disease caused by infection with Treponema pallidum. It is listed alongside tuberculosis and leprosy as one of the world's three major chronic infectious diseases. The skin and mucous membranes of syphilis patients contain Treponema pallidum. Uninfected individuals can contract the disease during sexual contact with a syphilis patient if there are even minor abrasions on their skin or mucous membranes. In acquired (postnatal) syphilis, early-stage patients are the source of infection, and the disease is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse. In extremely rare cases, it can be transmitted through blood transfusions or other means.