To protect yourself from syphilis abstain, be faithful to 1 partner you have tested with, or use condoms EVERY time you have sex. Condoms are made of solid rubber, forming a barrier between skin and preventing sex fluids from passing through. So condoms give good protection from syphilis, other Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs) and HIV. However, syphilis wounds can appear on skin not covered by a condom. In these cases condoms do not provide good protection. Syphilis wounds are painless so you may not notice you have them. Condoms only work if used correctly.
Attribution: Straight Talk Foundation & Marie Stopes