Syphilis Symptoms & Stages: Understanding the Potential Problems

1. Primary Syphilis:

- Develops at the site of the initial infection or contact.

- Characterized by a single but painless ulcer called a chancre.

2. Secondary Syphilis:

- Occurs weeks to months after the initial infection.

- Can affect multiple body systems and present various symptoms:

- Skin rashes, often on the palms and soles

- Fever, headache, malaise, and joint aches

- Lymph node swelling

- Condylomata lata: white or pink wart-like lesions on moist areas like the genitals and mouth.

3. Latent Syphilis:

- Asymptomatic phase that can last for years.

4. Tertiary Syphilis:

- Develops in about 15% of untreated cases and can involve the following:

- Gummas: Raised, rubbery skin lesions that can affect any body part.

- Cardiovascular involvement: aortic aneurysm and heart valve damage

- Neurological complications: paresis, which affects the brain and spinal cord and causes various neurological disabilities

- Visceral involvement: damage to internal organs such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, or bones.

5. Congenital Syphilis:

- If an infected mother transmits the infection to the fetus during pregnancy, the outcome may be miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects in the newborn.