Syphilis may be confirmed either from blood tests or direct visualization using microscopy.Typical diagnosis is with blood tests using nontreponemal and treponemal tests. Nontreponemal test are used initially and include venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and rapid plasma reagin however as these test occasionally are falsely positive confirmation is required with a treponemal test such as treponemal pallidum particle agglutination (TPHA) or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-Abs).
There are three steps to having the disease: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. The Tertiary stage can be known as the worst phase. This stage affects the brain,nervous system, heart, skin, and bones. All stages of Syphilis are cureable and can easily be detected.
Syphilis can be transferred through broken skin or mucous membranes. A mother can transfer it to a developing embryo in her womb as well.
Syphilis can be transferred through broken skin or mucous membranes. A mother can transfer it to a developing embryo in her womb as well.
Syphilis, secondary on the palms
Depression-era U.S. poster advocating early syphilis treatment
