Subject: Syphilis

SYPHILIS

Syphilis is a veneral disease <16> caused by the treponema
pallidum bacterium <31>.  It is normally sexually transmitted
but can be transmitted via infected blood or from mother
to child.  It develops in three stages.  Primary
syphilis is characterized by a chancre or skin ulcer at
the site on infection.  Secondary syphilis involves
generalized eruption of the skin and mucous membranes and
inflammation of the eyes, bones and central nervous
system.  Tertiary syphilis produces chronic skin lesions,
such as Kaposi's sarcoma <20>,
heart damage and central nervous system degeneration.
Syphilis is generally treated with one shot of 2.4
million units of benzathine pencillin <24>.  It is
theorized by Dr. Stephen Caiazza <39> and Dr. Joan
McKenna <45> that AIDS is really syphilis masked by
a depressed immune system.

See also:

AIDS backgrounder <2>