Syphilis symptoms

May 2, 2024 Reviewed by Dr Hameed Ibrahim Khokar

Originally posted 2021-09-29 04:53:38.

Syphilis is of three stages with latent (inactive) stage. First stage is ulcer (chancre) formation, which develops on infection after 10-90 days with 21 days average time until initial symptom developments. If ulcer is present, then it is highly contagious.

Ulcer teeming with spirochetes may transmit infection with contact. If ulcer is on male scrotum or outside vagina, infection transmission will not be prevented by condoms. Kissing can also spread infections. Without treatment, ulcer may resolve after 3-6 weeks, but will recur after some months as secondary syphilis in case, treatment is not provide in initial stage and is the second stage, involving different organ systems. Various symptoms might be experienced like skin rash on bottoms of feet or on palms of hands, which does not cause itch. It could at times be tough to recognize and faint or not noticed at all. Secondary stage might include sore throat, hair loss, white patches in vagina, mouth and nose, headaches and fever. Genitals may develop lesions appearing like genital warts, caused by spirochetes. Skin rash and wart type lesions highly contagious.

Few patients might carry infection within their body and not show any symptoms after contracting secondary syphilis. This period is termed as the infection’s latent stage. The latent stage may last for about 20 years or even longer. But without or with the latent stage, there may develop the tertiary (third) stage of this disease. During this stage syphilllis generally loses its contagious effects and is no more harmful.

Treatment: Syphilis Treatment

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