Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for
years, yet remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated.
The symptoms experienced depend on the stage of the infection.
Here are the signs and symptoms of syphilis.
PRIMARY STAGE
1. Appearance of one or multiple sores known as chancre.
a. It takes between 10 to 90 days (average is 21days) between
infections with syphilis to the onset of symptoms.
b. This sore is usually firm, round, small, and painless.
c. It appears at the spot where syphilis entered the body.
d. The chancre lasts 3 to 6 weeks, and it heals without treatment.
e. If adequate treatment is not administered, the infection progresses
to the secondary stage.
SECONDARY STAGE
1. The secondary stage of the infection is characterized by skin rash
and mucous membrane lesions. The characteristic rash of secondary
syphilis may appear as rough, red, or reddish brown spots both on the
palms of the hands and the bottoms of the feet.
2. Fever
3. Swollen lymph glands
4. Sore throat
5. Patchy hair loss
6. Headaches
7. Weight loss
8. Muscle aches
9. Fatigue
The signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis will resolve with or
without treatment, but without treatment, the infection will progress to
the latent and possibly late stages of disease.
LATENT STAGE
The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when primary and
secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the infected
person will continue to have syphilis even though there are no signs
or symptoms; infection remains in the body. This latent stage can last
for years.
LATE STAGE
Signs and symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include:
2. Difficulty coordinating muscle movements
3. Paralysis
4. Numbness
5. Gradual blindness
6. Dementia
This damage may be serious enough to cause death.