Syphilis is an externally transmitted infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Due to numerous clinical manifestations, it was called the "great imitator". The estimated prevalence and incidence of syphilis varied considerably by region or country, with the highest prevalence in Africa. Risk factors for syphilis infection include men who have sex with men, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, previous syphilis infection, unprotected sex, and changing partners more often. Most cases of syphilis are transmitted through sexual contact (vaginal, anogenital and orogenital), but it can also be transmitted through vertical transmission. Syphilis can be classified as early and late, early syphilis includes the primary, secondary and early latent stages of syphilis, and late syphilis includes the late latent stage of syphilis, tertiary syphilis and neurosyphilis. In the primary stage of syphilis, a chancre appears, an anogenital ulcer that appears 9-90 days after exposure. Secondary syphilis appears 2 to 8 weeks after the disappearance of the chancre and has multiple systemic manifestations that can affect any system and part of the body, but is most often manifested by a rash. Without treatment, the symptoms of secondary syphilis usually resolve within three months and the disease becomes latent. Clinical relapses may occur during the first two years of latency (early latent stage disease) but are rare thereafter (late latent stage disease). Tertiary syphilis appears usually 10-15 years after the latent stage and can affect almost any tissue or organ. Manifestations of tertiary syphilis include cardiovascular syphilis, neurosyphilis, and gummatous syphilis. Serological testing is the most common way to diagnose syphilis, whether in people with syphilis symptoms or in those people who have no symptoms. Treatment of syphilis is based on penicillin or doxycycline in case of hypersensitivity to penicillin. With syphilis, early treatment is most important because prevention is more likely when people are treated after exposure to the infection before they develop primary syphilis. Therefore, people who have had sexual contact with people who have syphilis should be treated immediately, even if the tests are negative. Abstinence from sexual contact or a long-term, monogamous relationship with a partner who is known not to be infected with syphilis are the most reliable ways to prevent infection. A survey was conducted using Google forms in which a total of 106 respondents participated. Nursing students in Varaždin, Zagreb and Rijeka took part in the survey. The aim of this research was to find out the level of knowledge and general knowledge of nursing students about syphilis. The results showed that there are some „holes“ in the knowledge of students regarding the clinical manifestations of primary syphilis, diagnosis and degree of infection and treatment of late syphilis, so additional and improved education about syphilis is needed.