Syphilis

Few fields of medicine have been more carefully scrutinized by experts than syphilis.^(1-4) Whether in economic, political, social, ethical, or epidemiologic arenas, syphilis has been the prototypic sexually transmitted disease (STD) control program of the 20th century.⁽⁴⁾ Thus, the approaches taken and the measures used have been the model for control programs directed toward other STDs. In addition, many other clinical preventive services, such as those for tuberculosis, immunization, maternal and child health, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have used concepts derived from syphilis control activities in their own prevention strategies. However, much of the epidemiological knowledge about syphilis control occurred prior to the 1950s.⁽⁴⁾