Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium that spreads mainly through sexual contact with someone who has syphilis sores called chancres during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant people can transmit the infection to their babies, leading to congenital syphilis, which can result in stillbirths or death shortly after birth. Syphilis progresses through four disease stages in the months to years after the initial exposure if left untreated. Each syphilis stage is characterized by its own set of symptoms, and syphilis is highly infectious during the primary and secondary stages.
