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Syphilis
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Picture of Syphilis
Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum, a microscopic organism called a spirochete. This worm-like, spiral-shaped organism infects people by burrowing into the moist mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals. From there, the spirochete produces a non-painful ulcer known as a chancre.
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Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Image Source: Science Source/Photo Researchers, Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology
Text: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary by MedicineNet, Inc.