Understanding Syphilis: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction

Imagine you are a public health educator assigned to educate your community about syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Many people do not know its signs, how it spreads, or how it can be prevented. Your mission is to learn the facts and create an educational campaign that can help others protect themselves and reduce misinformation.

Task

You are a member of a health education team.

Your group will create one of the following:

  • An educational infographic
  • A tri-fold brochure
  • A PowerPoint presentation
  • A health awareness poster

Your project must answer these questions:

  • What is syphilis?
  • What causes syphilis?
  • How is it transmitted?
  • What are its signs and symptoms?
  • How is it diagnosed?
  • What treatments are available?
  • How can people prevent syphilis?

At the end of the activity, your group will present your work to the class.

Process

Step 1

Read the online resources provided by your teacher.

Step 2

Identify the following:

  • Cause of syphilis
  • Risk factors
  • Symptoms in each stage
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Prevention

Step 3

Discuss your findings with your group.

Step 4

Create your educational material using Canva, PowerPoint, or Google Slides.

Step 5

Present your work in class and answer questions from your classmates.

Evaluation

Evaluation

Criteria Excellent (5) Good (4) Fair (3) Needs Improvement (2)
Accuracy of Information Complete and correct Mostly correct Some errors Many errors
Organization Very organized Organized Somewhat organized Poorly organized
Creativity Very creative Creative Some creativity Needs improvement
Presentation Skills Clear and confident Mostly clear Some difficulty Needs improvement

Total Score: 20 points

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have learned about syphilis, including its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. By sharing accurate health information, you can help reduce stigma, encourage early testing, and promote healthy choices. Remember that awareness and education are important in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Credits

This WebQuest was created by J. Legawan for educational purposes.

Information and educational resources were adapted from the following reliable sources:

Special thanks to CreateWebQuest for providing the platform used to create this learning activity.

Teacher Page

Target Learners:
Senior High School (Grades 11–12) or College Health Science Students

Subject:
Health Education / Biology / Medical Technology / Nursing

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this WebQuest, students should be able to:

  • Explain what syphilis is.
  • Identify its causes, signs, symptoms, and stages.
  • Describe how syphilis is diagnosed and treated.
  • Discuss ways to prevent syphilis.
  • Create an educational material to promote awareness and prevention.

Time Required:
1–2 class periods (60–90 minutes each)

Materials Needed:

  • Computer or smartphone with internet access
  • Canva, PowerPoint, or Google Slides
  • Notebook and pen

Teacher's Role:

  • Guide students in using reliable sources.
  • Facilitate group discussions.
  • Monitor students' progress.
  • Evaluate students using the provided rubric.
  • Encourage respectful and evidence-based discussions about sexual health.