Syphilis Symptoms

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Syphilis

© Judy Arbique

Treponema pallidum, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Syphilis untreated most often progresses from primary through secondary and latent stages to tertiary stage syphilis which involves life-threatening complications.

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Signs and Symptoms of Infection

The incubation period for syphilis ranges from 10-90 days (average 21 days) following exposure to the bacterium. The first sign of infection is a sore that appears on the skin or mucous membranes at the site where the bacterium entered the body.

Without treatment, infection progresses through a number of stages as described below.

Primary syphilis

Secondary syphilis

Additional non-specific symptoms may also be experienced:

Symptoms of secondary treatment are self-limited, but without treatment infection will progress to latent and tertiary stages. The secondary stage of syphilis is often unrecognized because:

Latent syphilis

Tertiary syphilis

Tertiary syphilis results in damage to internal organs including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints.

Symptoms may include:

Congenital syphilis

T. pallidum may be passed from an infected mother to her unborn child during pregnancy. Congenital syphilis may result in stillbirth or death shortly after birth. Although infected infants may be born without obvious signs of infection, serious problems may develop within a few weeks. Immediate treatment is required to prevent developmental delay, seizures and/or death.

Syphilis is relatively easy to treat during the primary and secondary stages.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that has increased in prevalence in the past decade: treatment is required for sexual partner(s) and preventive measures are extremely important to prevent spread to sexual partner(s).

Read more about syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections:

Syphilis Diagnosis: Treponema pallidum Testing

Syphilis Infection: Sexually Transmitted Spirochete

Spread of Syphilis: Historical Perspective

Sources:

Primary and Secondary Syphilis --- United States, 2003—2004

Origins of Syphilis

Syphilis – CDC Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions About Syphilis


The copyright of the article Syphilis Symptoms in Human Infections is owned by Judy Arbique. Permission to republish Syphilis Symptoms must be granted by the author in writing.


Treponema pallidum, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Syphilis chancre on penis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Syphilis rash on feet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Syphilis rash on hands, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 


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