Although it is easily preventable, more than 36,000 cases of syphilis are reported each year in the United States alone ("STD Facts-Syphilis" 2010). Treponema pallidum is the bacteria responsible for syphilis. As one of the most common STDs, syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease that acts very differently from other common STDs because it works in stages. Fortunately, there are antibiotics to cure syphilis; however, there is no cure for the other health problems it causes. Syphilis is a bacterial STD caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is transmitted “by direct contact with a syphilis sore (“STD Facts-Syphilis” 2010). » Contagious sores can be cankers, which occur in the primary stage, usually as a sign of infection, or a rash sore, which occurs in the secondary stage. Contact with these sores most often occurs through sexual contact, such as vaginal sex, anal sex, and other forms of sexual contact. The areas of the body that are most susceptible to contracting the bacteria are “areas of the body containing mucous membranes,” such as “the nasal mucosa, rectum, urethra, and vagina (Shmaefsky, Brian 2009). "The bacterium Treponema pallidum attaches to mucous membranes (Shmaefsky, Brian 2009)." This binding structure is called a "bacterial ligand", where the protein "binds to chemicals such as sugars and proteins" and once this binding occurs, the bacteria enters 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 the disease can pass it on middle of paper...... - Today." CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) - HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and Tuberculosis (TB). The CDC, March 14, 2011. Web. October 11, 2011. “Syphilis Facts.” Directors of health promotion and education. .Shmaefsky, Brian, 2nd ed. : Chelsea House, 2009. Print Dictionary and Thesaurus "Gynecologist" - Merriam-Webster online. Merriam-Webster, 2011. The Web. November 21, 2011. “Salary of the gynecologist”. Gynecologist salary. Gynecologist salary. Internet. November 21, 2011. “Syphilis.” American Social Health Association - Who We Are. American Social Health Association. Internet. December 20. 2011. .