Syphilis is a Sexually Transmitted Disease that is usually spread during sexual contact, vaginal, anal including kissing or oral sex. The symptoms of syphilis are the same in men and women. They can be mild and difficult to recognize or distinguish from other STDs. Symptoms may take up to 90 days or 3 months to appear after initial infection. If left untreated, it progresses through stages: primary, secondary, latent, and late syphilis (tertiary). Syphilis can be detected as early as 10-90 days of exposure.