Could you live with syphilis and not know it?

Yes, not advised: Syphilis can remain latent or dormant for years without symptoms and then manifest itself by causing severe and fatal damage to the nervous system. Neurosyphilis is caused by treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. It usually occurs about 10 - 20 years after a person is first infected with syphilis. Testing and treatment is advised since syphilis can be cured before this happens.