Venereal diseases have been the domain of dermatology because of the eminently cutaneous and mucosal nature of their clinical manifestations and because it was dermatologists who described them and studied them, and who were consulted by the patients affected by them. Today, however, the term sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is preferred to venereal diseases, because people who acquire an infectious agent through sexual relations may often remain without signs of disease for some time. STIs are an increasingly frequent reason for consultation in our health care system and constitute a major public-health problem because of their magnitude and because of the associated complications and sequelae if early diagnosis and treatment are not provided.1 Without a doubt, there is one venereal disease that has particular implications for dermatologists. That disease is syphilis, which has even given us the name of our national journal.

In this issue of Actas Dermosifiliográficas, Arando M et al.2 present an excellent study of the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of more than a thousand cases of early syphilis diagnosed over a 10-year period at an STI referral unit in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The authors highlight the importance of this disease, which is still uncontrolled in our society. They analyze the importance of several risk factors involved in its transmission, which need to be understood, as prevention is essential in this type of disease.

Finally, we would like to highlight again the important role of dermatologists in diagnosing and treating syphilis and other STIs. We must also become more involved in campaigns to raise awareness and provide advice to the general public, especially young people and risk groups. In my humble opinion, 21st-century dermatology still has work to do with regard to venereology, which is becoming increasingly sidelined in different courses, meetings and conferences. I honestly believe that it is up to each and every one of us to give this intrinsic area of our specialty the visibility it deserves.