Syphilis. A new visit from an old enemy

Syphilis has a number of stages, including a latent one, and may be overlooked or misdiagnosed if the possibility is not kept in mind. Adequate treatment during the primary stage results in a very high cure rate. The latent stage may last for years, during which time a woman may still give birth to an infected child. Symptomatic neurosyphilis occurs more often in men than women. Penicillin G is preferred to treat all stages of the disease; other antibiotics can be used for patients sensitive to penicillin.