Syphilis has been around for centuries. In fact, the first recorded outbreak is said to have occurred in the 1490s in Naples, Italy, during a French invasion. But it wasn't until 1905 that the organism that causes the infection was isolated and identified at a clinic in Berlin. The number of sufferers dropped in the post-World War II years, as penicillin was used to treat it. However, recent numbers suggest a worrying trend: syphilis is on the rise again
What's more, this resurgence is happening at an alarming rate, with a high number of babies being born with congenital syphilis in the United States. It's not just the US though: according to World Health Organization data, the increasing number of syphilis cases is a global phenomenon.
Curious to know more? Click on this gallery to find out how to recognize, treat, and prevent syphilis.