Parliament's health select committee has raised concerns about the growth of syphilis in South Auckland and the need for extra funding for primary and sexual health services to stop its spread. A historical photo from the US of a person's tongue with spots caused by syphilis. Photo: CDC/PUBLIC HEALTH IMAGE LIBRARY. At least one leading academic says there's also a need for more up-to-date data and contact tracing to get on top of the disease. Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted infection that can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If it isn't treated however, it can over time affect the brain, spinal cord and other organs.