Overview
Primary syphilis is the name given to the first part of the disease caused by infection with the sexually transmitted bacterium,
Treponema pallidum. The disease is divided into 3 parts, and it is important to recognize the first part (which involves the skin) so that you can get treated before the disease progresses to the second and third parts, which affect the brain and cause early death. The classic skin lesion of primary syphilis is a red bump on the genitals that opens into a sore, called a chancre. The sore is typically painless and will heal on its own without treatment, but the disease will still be present, so it is very important to show the sore to your doctor. If treated early, syphilis can be completely cured. Syphilis, like other sexually transmitted diseases, is passed from person to person during oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse. It can also be passed from a mother to a baby during birth. If a baby gets syphilis, he/she often dies.
