Understanding Secondary Syphilis: Symptoms, Transmission & Diagnosis

Stage 2 (Secondary Syphilis)

- Mucocutaneous lesions: Generalized rash, often maculopapular or resembling guttate psoriasis; highly contagious. Lesions also occur on mucous membranes (mouth, pharynx, larynx, vagina).

- Constitutional symptoms: Fever, malaise, anorexia, rash.

- Lymphadenopathy: Generalized, but most noticeable in the epitrochlear, axillary, inguinal regions.

- Lesions are infectious/communicable.

- Spirochetes are found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 10% of patients.

- If untreated, secondary syphilis resolves spontaneously within 4–8 weeks, after which the disease enters the latent phase.

- Patients may experience recurrences of symptoms (relapses) during early stages of the disease in 25% of cases.