How is syphilis transmitted?

Syphilis is most commonly acquired as a sexually transmitted disease but also may be acquired congenitally (see Chapter 57) or, rarely, by blood transfusions. The organism is very fragile and easily killed by heat, cold, drying, soap, and disinfectants. Since the spirochete is so fragile, the possibility that an infection could be acquired from a toilet seat is statistically very remote.