Syphilis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (TP), primarily transmitted through sexual contact and blood. The impact of syphilis is significant as it can affect all bodily tissues and organs, or can be transmitted through the placenta, leading to stillbirth, miscarriage, premature birth, and congenital infections.

When syphilis is suspected, due to its complex clinical manifestations, a detailed medical history should be taken, a thorough physical examination conducted, and repeated laboratory tests performed to ensure an early and accurate diagnosis. It is important to trace back to any unprotected sexual contacts within the last six weeks and to routinely screen the sexual partners of patients for syphilis as well.

Syphilis is divided into three stages: The diagnosis of primary syphilis is mainly based on the history of exposure, the incubation period (six weeks), typical clinical manifestations, and laboratory tests, noting that a negative syphilis serology result alone should not exclude the diagnosis of syphilis. The diagnosis of secondary syphilis primarily relies on the history of exposure, typical clinical manifestations, especially skin and mucosal lesions, combined with laboratory tests. The diagnosis of tertiary syphilis is mainly based on the history of exposure, typical clinical manifestations, and laboratory tests. Neurosyphilis can also be assessed through cerebrospinal fluid examination. Congenital syphilis primarily requires a maternal history of the disease, combined with typical clinical manifestations and laboratory tests for diagnosis.