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Signs and symptoms

As mentioned in previous posts, syphilis is broken up into four different stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary syphilis. Each stage has it's own unique signs and symptoms.

Primary Syphilis

Primary syphilis is characterized by swollen nodes and the presence of a sore where the bacteria entered the body that appears generally a few weeks after the transmission occurred. This sore is known as a chancre and is not painless and may go unnoticed depending on location. In addition to it being painless, the sore will resolve itself in three to six weeks with or without treatment. If the individual infected does not seek treatment, the sore will heal, but the bacteria will continue to multiply within the body, which then leads to the second phase of syphilis.1,2

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Secondary Syphilis

Secondary syphilis may present immediately after the chancre is healed, or it may present several weeks after. This second phase is characterized by a rash that appears on various areas of the body including in the mouth, vagina, and anus. Very commonly the rash appears on the palm of the hands and the torso of the body. Other characteristics of secondary syphilis that appear in concurrence with the rash are symptoms of the flu like swollen lymph nodes, muscles aches, sore throat and fatigue. During this phase the bacteria is still in the body and can be treated.1

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Latent Phase

The latent phase of syphilis is just what it sounds like - the absence of any signs or symptoms - even though the person is still infected. The latent phase can last for several years to several decades, and many will remain indefinitely in the latent phase without advancing to the final phase.1

Tertiary Syphilis

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The final phase of syphilis is characterized by the presence of a gumma, or a soft growth similar to a granuloma made of dead and swollen fibrous tissue. The gumma most often will form on the liver, but can also form on the brain, skin, heart, and even the eyes.3 Of course having a tumor-like growth on an organ will inhibit or alter the function of the given organ resulting in problematic symptoms depending on the location of the gumma. Symptoms can include numbness in parts of the body, blindness, dementia, decreased muscle coordination, and paralysis.1


References:

1:  Syphilis - CDC Fact Sheet. (2014, July 8). Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm

2:  Syphilis - primary: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000861.htm

3:  Gumma. Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000859.htm

4: Andrade, P., Mariano, A., & Figueiredo, A. (2010). Solitary frontal ulcer: A syphilitic gumma. Dermatology Online Journal 16(9). Retrieved from: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5gs4q6wz