Syphilis Transmission: Contagion of Bodies and Words

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (subsp. pallidum), associated with severe symptoms culminating in cardiovascular complications or neurological damage. In the late 15th century, a syphilis epidemic occurred in Europe with an outbreak in Naples that caused numerous deaths and impacted people's lives, shaping their thoughts, behaviors, and language. Here, we traced the origin of syphilis, exploring its social implications and reviewing therapeutic approaches. Using examples of Neapolitan folk sayings, we illustrated how dialects preserve fragments of medical history. In conclusion, besides the impact of epidemics on human health, years later they continue shaping sociocultural traits, including language.