Treponema pallidum

Hello there.
My name is T. pallidum.
I am a spirochete, which is a spiraling bacteria.
I am a sexually transmitted infection.

My primary stage gives you painless "chancres" and lymph node enlargement.
My secondary stage causes rash, flu-like feelings and special warts called 'condylomata lata'
Then I stay latent for years.

Later I can affect your heart and arteries.
I can also hurt your nerves and brain, or cause 'gummas' lesions around your bones and body.

I can cause a shaking that is called 'paralytic dementia', but used to be called 'general paresis of the insane'.