The skin and mucous membranes of people with syphilis contain syphilis spirochetes, and people who do not have the disease can get it if they have sexual contact with someone with syphilis and have a small break in their skin or mucous membranes. Very rarely, the disease can be transmitted through blood transfusion or other means. Acquired syphilis (acquired) Early syphilis patients are the source of infection, 95% are transmitted through unclean sexual intercourse, a few through kissing, hand shaking, blood transfusion, contact with contaminated underwear, wet towels, tea cups, pipes, breastfeeding, diapers, etc. Fetal syphilis (congenital): spirochetes in pregnant women, usually infect the baby through the placenta in the third and fourth months of pregnancy.