Causes & Risk Factors

The most common route of transmission is though contact with an infected person's sore during sexual activity.

You face an increased risk of acquiring syphilis if you:

- engage in unprotected sex

- have sex with multiple partners

- are a man who has sex with a man

- are infected with HIV the virus that causes AIDS.

Less commonly syphilis may spread through direct unprotected close contact with an active lesion (such as during kissing).