How did I get syphilis?
Syphilis is almost always passed through sexual contact. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy.
Syphilis can sometimes be avoided through safer sex practices, such as using condoms and using "dental dams" during oral sex. Syphilis sores have to be covered up with a bandage to keep the infection from spreading.
Resolving the Common Clinical Dilemmas of Syphilis by NR Birnbaum, M.D., RH Goldschmidt, M.D., and WO Buffett, M.D. (American Family Physician April 15, 1999, http://www.aafp.org/afp/990415ap/2233.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff