Although it is easily preventable, over 36,000 cases of syphilis are reported each year in the United States alone (“STD Facts-Syphilis” 2010). Treponema pallidum is the bacterium that causes syphilis. As one of the most common STDs, syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease that acts very differently from other common STDs because it works in stages. Fortunately, there are antibiotics to treat syphilis; however, there is no cure for the other health problems it causes. Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is transmitted “through direct contact with a syphilis sore (“STD Facts-Syphilis” 2010).” Contagious sores can be ulcer sores, which occur in the primary stage usually at the sign of infection, or rash sores, which occur in the secondary stage. Contact with these sores most commonly occurs through sexual contact, such as vaginal sex, anal sex, and other forms of sexual contact. The areas of the body that most commonly contract the bacteria are “regions of the body containing mucous membranes,” such as “the nasal lining, rectum, urethra, and vagina (Shmaefsky, Brian 2009).” The bacterium Treponema pallidum attaches to mucous membranes (Shmaefsky, Brian 2009)”. This attachment structure is called a “bacterial ligand,” where the protein “attaches to chemicals such as sugars and proteins” and once this attachment occurs, the bacteria enter the bloodstream (Shmaefsky, Brian 2009). Syphilis attaches to cells and, over time, slowly damages organs as the bacteria circulates in the bloodstream (“Syphilis” 2011). Another way syphilis is transmitted is from mother to child. “Pregnant women with this disease can transmit it to… middle of paper… - Today.” CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) - HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Tuberculosis (TB) . The CDC, March 14, 2011. Web. October 11, 2011. “Facts about Syphilis.” : Chelsea House, 2009. Print. "Gynecologist" Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Merriam-Webster, 2011. Web. November 21, 2011. “Gynecologist Salary.” Gynecologist salary. Gynecologist salary. Network. 21 November 2011. "Syphilis". American Association for Social Health: Who we are. American Association for Social Health. Network. December 20. 2011. .