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Syphilis

Syphilis Overview

Syphilis (pronounced SIF-uh-lus) is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. The highly infectious disease may also be passed, but much less often, through blood transfusions or from mother to fetus in the womb. Without treatment, syphilis can cause irreversible damage to the brain, nerves, and body tissues.

The symptoms of syphilis can mimic many diseases. Sir William Osler stated, "The physician who knows syphilis knows medicine."



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Syphilis

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Overview

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is infection of a woman's reproductive organs. Infection spreads upward from the cervix to the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding structures.

Bacteria can infect the fallopian tubes and cause inflammation. When this happens, normal tissue can become scarred and block the normal passage of an egg. You may become infertile (unable to become pregnant). But if your tubes are partially blocked, an egg may implant outside the uterus and cause a dangerous condition called an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can cause internal bleeding and even death. Scar tissue may also develop elsewhere in your abdomen and cause pelvic pain that can last for months or years.

  • The 2 most commonly involved bacteria that cause PID are those of the sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhea and chlamydia.
  • PID can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Some women can be ve...

Read the Pelvic Inflammatory Disease article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Syphilis »

Syphilis is a venereal disease caused by infection with the spirochete Treponema pallidum.

Read More on eMedicine »

Medical Dictionary