Looking around the world, syphilis has been prevalent worldwide, with WHO estimating that there are about 12 million new cases worldwide each year, mainly in South and Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Syphilis has been growing rapidly in China in recent years, and has become the STD with the highest number of reported cases.

As a chronic, systemic sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum subspecies pallidum, syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity and can be clinically manifested as stage I syphilis, stage II syphilis, stage III syphilis, latent syphilis and congenital syphilis. The skin and mucous membranes of syphilis patients contain Treponema Pallidum. People who do not have syphilis can get the disease if their skin or mucous membranes are slightly damaged during sexual contact with syphilis patients, rarely are transmitted through blood transfusions or routes. Syphilis patients with acquired syphilis in the primary stage are the source of infection. More than 95% are transmitted through risky or unprotected sex activity, and a few through kissing, blood transfusions, contaminated clothing, etc. Congenital syphilis is transmitted by a pregnant woman who has syphilis, and the chances of transmission to unborn baby are quite high if a pregnant woman with first or second stage and early latent syphilis.