Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease can cause serious health problems if not treated early. Syphilis is divided into stages, and each stage has its own set of symptoms. Left untreated, syphilis can lead to blindness, heart disease, mental illness, and death.
Fortunately, syphilis is easy to diagnose and treat with antibiotics. All you need is a simple blood test to determine whether you have the infection. If you do have syphilis, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic that will clear up the infection quickly.