Syphilis & MSM (Men Who Have Sex With Men)

This information sheet discusses syphilis, an STD caused by a bacterium, among men who have sex with men (MSM). It describes the disease, its transmission, stages, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and provides statistics on the number of cases in the United States. The sheet also discusses the increase in syphilis among MSM as well as the high rates of HIV coinfection in MSM with syphilis, and explains how syphilis infection makes individuals more susceptible to acquiring or transmitting HIV. Contact information is provided for accessing the services of national health organizations.