/-------------------/\-------------------\
                 | Syphilis:        /  \                  |
                 |                 / 6  \   A production  |
                 | Effects of      | 1  |       of        |
                 |                 | 8  |                 |
                 | and             |----|   Dirty Bird's  |
                 |                 | 3  |     Nest BBS    |
                 | General         | 9  |      150 MB     |
                 |                 | 7  |   (A real BBS)  |
                 | Information     |----|                 |
                 |                 | 7  |   Written by:   |
                 |                 | 6  |   Suicidal      |
                 |                 | 8  |   Maniac        |
                 |                 \ 7  /                 |
                 |                  \  /                  |
                 \-------------------\/-------------------/



                                  SYPHILIS

       Syphilis is caused by a corkscrew-shaped germ called treponema
   pallidum. In most cases, the germs enter the body through breaks in
   the moist surfaces of the sex organs or other areas.

       Syphilis occurs in four main stages: 1-> primary, 2-> secondary,
   3-> latent, and 4-> late. The symptoms of primary syphilis develop
   about three weeks after infection. A small sore called a chancre
   appears in the area where the germs entered the body. The infected
   person may not notice the chancre, which disappears in a few weeks.
   Secondary syphilis occurs 6 weeks to 6 months later. At that time, the
   victim may feel ill and develop a rash and fever. The rash may be
   unnoticed, and all the symptoms disappear within several weeks.

       There are no symptoms during the latent stage, and a blood test is
   then the only way of finding the disease. If the condition is not
   treated, late syphilis will occur within 10 to 30 years. During late
   syphilis, the bacteria may attack the brain, heart, skin, spinal cord,
   or other party of the body. At this stage, the disease can cause
   blindness, deafness, heart disease, insanity, or paralysis.

       A pregnant woman who has syphilis but is not treated can and most
   likely will pass it to her unborn child. The woman may have a
   miscarriage, or the infant may die upon birth. If the baby lives, it
   may be born with the disease.

       If syphilis is treated during the first three stages, it can be
   cured easily with penicillin or other antibiotics. During the late
   stage, treatment can prevent the disease from becoming worse, but
   probably cannot cure it.