1. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum.

True False

2. The initial infection causes an ulcer at the site of infection.

True False

3. The bacteria do not move throughout the body.

True False

4. There are four stages syphilis ( primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary [late]).

True False

5. An infected person who has not been treated can not infect others during the first two stages.

True False

6. The first two stages usually last one to two years.

True False

7. In its late stages, untreated syphilis is not contagious, but it can cause serious heart problems, mental disorders, blindness, other neurologic problems, and death.

 True False

8. The bacterium spreads from the initial ulcer of an infected person to the skin or mucous membranes of the genital area, the mouth, or the anus of a sexual partner.

True False

9. The bacterium can not pass through broken skin on any other parts of the body.

True False

10. The first symptom of primary syphilis is an ulcer called a chancre.

True False

11. The chancre can appear within 10 days to three months after exposure.

True False

12. Generally, the chancre appears within two to six weeks.

True False

13. The chancre never disappears, even if a person has been treated.

True False

14. If not treated during the primary stage, about one-third of people will progress to chronic stages.

True False

15. Secondary syphilis is often marked by a skin rash that is characterized by brown sores about the size of a penny.

 True False

16. The rash appears anywhere from three to six weeks after the chancre appears.

True False

17. While the rash may cover the whole body or appear only in a few areas, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are almost always never involved.

True False

18. If untreated, syphilis may lapse into a latent stage during which the disease is no longer contagious and no symptoms are present.

True False

19. Experts recommend that individuals who have been treated for another sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea, should be tested to be sure they have not also acquired syphilis.

True False

20. Syphilis usually is treated with penicillin, administered by injection.

True False

21. There are not other antibiotics, however, that can be used for patients allergic to penicillin.

 True False

22. As with many other STDs, methods of prevention include using condoms during sexual intercourse.

True False

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