Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarly SignsAppearanceLocationDurationDiagnosisTreatmentLater StagesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Early Signs
Appearance
Location
Duration
Diagnosis
Treatment
Later Stages
Frequently Asked Questions
Syphilis is typically transmitted via direct contact with a sore called a chancre. Chancres are usually located in the vagina, anus, genitals, rectum, lips, or mouth. Without treatment, syphilis can progress through different stages, causing significant health problems. Untreated, you can remain contagious and infect other people.
miniseries / Getty Images
Early Signs of Syphilis
Once syphilis is contracted,syphilis symptomstend to appear within 21 days. However, the range of when symptoms start to appear can be as short as 10 days and as long as 90 days.
Often referred to as the “great pretender” due to appearing similar to many other diseases, syphilis tends to go through four stages. The first stage is as follows:
It can take weeks, months, or years to progress through all four stages. The secondary stage, latent stage, and tertiary stage will be discussed further down.
Symptoms of Syphilis
What Do Syphilis Sores Look Like?
Syphilis sores are part of the primary stage of a syphilis infection.The chancre is usually firm, round, and located in the area whereT. pallidum, entered the body.
The chancre is usually small in size and painless. It often goes unnoticed. It is possible to have multiple chancres, but it is not uncommon for only one chancre to be present.
Where Are Syphilis Sores Located?
Syphilis sores, orchancres, are located whereT. pallidumentered the body.Syphilis is mostly transmitted via direct person-to-person contact with the chancre. Sexual activity is the primary method of the direct contact, so chancres typically are located in the mouth, throat, vagina, or anus.
How Long Do Syphilis Sores Last?
Syphilis sores usually appear within 21 days of initial infection.Symptom onset can occur as soon as 10 days or as late as 90 days, though. The chancre or chancres usually last for three to six weeks. Even when a chancre is not present, you can still be contagious and spread the syphilis to others.
Diagnosing Syphilis
The blood is tested for several antibodies specific to syphilis. Even after successful treatment, a person previously infected with syphilis can still have detectable antibody levels in the blood. This is why several types of antibody testing are completed to determine if it is a prior infection or new infection.
How Syphilis Is Diagnosed
Treatment is based on your age and the stage of syphilis, as follows:
How Syphilis Is Treated
Later Stages of Syphilis
The stages of syphilis after the initial infection and primary stage include:
Summary
The primary stage begins with a painless syphilis sore, known as a chancre, at the entry point of the syphilis bacterium and is most often located in the mouth, throat, vagina, or anus. Syphilis will progress through secondary, latent and tertiary stages if not treated.
Finish your entire prescription antibiotic. Even if you do not show symptoms, you remain contagious and can still spread syphilis. Syphilis is diagnosed through a blood test and is treated mostly with penicillin, a type of antibiotic. Even in the tertiary stage, treatment can stop disease progression, although it might not repair damage already done.
A Word From Verywell
Being told you have a sexually transmitted infection, particularly syphilis, can be overwhelming and create much anxiety. Collaborating with your healthcare provider to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, however, can halt disease progression and restore your health.
Syphilis sores (chancres) are often painless. Chancres are usually firm and round and located at the point where the syphilis bacterium entered the body. Syphilis chancres are usually located in the mouth, throat, vagina, or anus.
Chancres, associated with the primary stage of syphilis, often last from 3 to 6 weeks after the initial appearance. Some people infected with syphilis might only have one chancre, while others might have several. Even after the chancre resolves, the person infected with syphilis remains contagious.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.
American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
