VD Shadow on HEALTH Venereal diseases have increased during the war. The two main venereal diseases are Syphilis and Gonorrhœa. Each is spread by sexual intercourse with a man or woman who already has the disease. Infection in any other way is very rare. Clean living is the real safeguard. What are the signs of V.D.? The first sign of syphilis is a small ulcer on or near the sex organs; it appears from 10-90 days—usually three or four weeks—after infection. Gonorrhœa first as a discharge from the sex organs, usually from 2-10 days after infection.