Syphilis: Understanding the Symptoms

Introduction

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. If left untreated, it can progress through several stages and cause severe health complications. This webpage provides comprehensive information on syphilis, including its symptoms, stages, treatment, and prevention strategies.

Understanding Syphilis: An Introduction to Symptoms and Testing

Syphilis is a bacterial infection typically spread through sexual contact. It can also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth, leading to congenital syphilis. The infection progresses through distinct stages, each with characteristic symptoms.

Stages of Syphilis

Primary Stage

Symptoms: A single sore (chancre) or multiple sores at the infection site, typically painless.
Timeline: Appears 3 weeks to 3 months after exposure.
Resolution: The sore heals without treatment in 3-6 weeks, but the infection remains (Michigan Medicine, 2022).

Secondary Stage

Symptoms: Skin rashes, mucous membrane lesions, fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Timeline: Symptoms appear 2-8 weeks after the primary sores heal.
Resolution: Symptoms may go away without treatment, but the infection progresses (CDC, 2022).

Latent Stage

Symptoms: No visible symptoms.
Timeline: Can last for years.
Risk: Without treatment, the infection can remain in the body and potentially progress to the tertiary stage (Michigan Medicine, 2022).

Tertiary Stage

Symptoms: Severe medical problems affecting the heart, brain, nerves, eyes, liver, bones, and joints.
Timeline: Can occur 10-30 years after the initial infection.
Complications: Can result in paralysis, blindness, dementia, deafness, or death (CDC, 2022).

Congenital Syphilis

Congenital syphilis occurs when a pregnant woman with syphilis transmits the infection to her baby. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe health problems for the baby, such as deformities, severe anemia, jaundice, and brain or nerve damage (CDC, 2022).

Transmission

Syphilis is transmitted through direct contact with a syphilitic sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

Diagnosis

Syphilis can be diagnosed through:

Blood Tests: To detect antibodies to the bacteria.
Microscopic Analysis: Of fluid from sores using a special microscope.
Lumbar Puncture: To test for neurosyphilis if neurological symptoms are present (CDC, 2022).