Syphilis: "The Great Imitator"

The Stages of Syphilis

Primary Stage

This stage typically begins 3 to 12 weeks after infection. The main symptom is a single, firm, round, and painless sore called a chancre. It appears at the location where syphilis entered the body, such as the penis, anus, or mouth. Because it's painless, it can easily be overlooked. The chancre will heal on its own within 3 to 6 weeks, but without treatment, the infection progresses to the next stage.

Secondary Stage

This stage begins as the primary chancre is healing or several weeks after it has healed. The most common symptom is a non-itchy skin rash, often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Other symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms will also go away without treatment, but the bacteria remain in the body.

Latent Stage

After the secondary stage symptoms disappear, the disease enters a latent (hidden) stage where there are no symptoms. This stage can last for years. The infection remains in the body and can continue to cause damage.

Tertiary (Late) Stage

If left untreated, about 15-30% of infected people will develop late-stage syphilis. This can occur 10-30 years after the initial infection. Late syphilis can damage internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. This damage can lead to paralysis, blindness, dementia, and even death.

Testing and Treatment

Syphilis is easily diagnosed with a simple blood test. It is also easily cured in its early stages with antibiotics, most commonly a single injection of Penicillin. Treatment for later stages is more complex and requires longer courses of antibiotics.

It's vital that sexual partners are also tested and treated to prevent reinfection.