Syphilis is a common venereal disease caused by a bacteria called Treponema Pallidum. Transmission occurs mostly through sexual contact. Those who are promiscuous and have sex with prostitutes have a higher risk of becoming infection. Syphilis can also be transmitted via the placenta from mother to the foetus during pregnancy.

During the early stage of infection, painless ulceration will occur in the external genitalia, with enlargement of the regional lymph nodes. During the second stage, the patient will develop generalised skin rash with fever. Tertiary syphilis develops many years after the second stage and during which serious great damage is done to the heart and its large arteries as well as to the central nervous system. Besides latent syphilis sometimes occurs during which the signs and symptoms of the illness are not significant. Antibody testing for syphilis can identify the presence of syphilis during any stage of the illness. Persons with a past history of syphilis should not donate blood. Blood tested positive is discarded.