Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Do They Look Like?LocationCausesDiganosisTreatmentWhat to ExpectEarly SymptomsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Do They Look Like?
Location
Causes
Diganosis
Treatment
What to Expect
Early Symptoms
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Syphilisis a sexually transmitted infection that can cause sores to develop on or around the genital area, anus, lips, and mouth. These sores are known as chancres. Having intimate contact with a person who has these sores can lead to a syphilis infection.
Learn more about the risk factors, prevention strategies, diagnosis, and treatment options for syphilis chancres.
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What Do Chancres Look Like?
In the first stage of syphilis, called the primary phase, only one chancre may be present. Sometimes, there may be multiple chancres in the primary phase.
In this stage of the infection the chancre is typically painless and may appear:
Lesions may also appear that may be:
Where Are Chancres Typically Located?
A chancre can form in an area where syphilis enters the body. This can include around or on the:
If they appear in the vagina or anus, they may be difficult to spot.
What Causes Chancres?
Syphilis is spread from person to person via close contact with a syphilis sore.You can also transmit through condyloma lata (flesh-colored or hypopigmented, macerated papules or plaques). This includes through sexual contact like:
It is also possible for an infected pregnant person to pass the syphilis infection to the fetus.
It is not possible to contract syphilis through casual contact—like sharing clothes, utensils, or toilet seats.
Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies
Anyone who is sexually active can get syphilis.
In the United States, the majority of cases of syphilis are among:
Rates of infection have been rising among men who have sex with men for two decades.
The only way to completely prevent syphilis is to refrain from having sex of any kind including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
If you are sexually active, barrier protection is an effective strategy. Using condoms correctly every time you have sex and not sharing sex toys are other strategies to prevent infection.
Diagnosing Syphilis
Anyone who is displaying symptoms of syphilis should be tested.
Diagnosing syphilis may involve:
Syphilis can be successfully treatedwith antibiotics. These may include:
The duration of treatment will vary based on the severity of the syphilis infection, as well as the overall health status of the person infected.
Both primary and secondary syphilis can be successfully cured if the infection is diagnosed early and treatment is completed.
In the primary stage of syphilis, chancres may heal in three to six weeks even without treatment. However, treatment is still needed to stop the infection from progressing to secondary or later stages of syphilis.
If left untreated, up to one-third of people infected with syphilis will develop late complications. This can lead to damage to multiple organs and systems in the body and may be life-threatening.
Complications of untreated syphilisIf left untreated, syphilis can progress to the most serious stage, known as tertiary stage syphilis.This can be life-threatening and impact multiple organ systems of the body including the:HeartBrainBlood vesselsLiverBonesEyesNervesJoints
Complications of untreated syphilis
If left untreated, syphilis can progress to the most serious stage, known as tertiary stage syphilis.This can be life-threatening and impact multiple organ systems of the body including the:HeartBrainBlood vesselsLiverBonesEyesNervesJoints
If left untreated, syphilis can progress to the most serious stage, known as tertiary stage syphilis.
This can be life-threatening and impact multiple organ systems of the body including the:
Other Early Syphilis Symptoms
You should arrange to see a healthcare provider if you are displaying any symptoms that could be indicative of syphilis.
You should also contact your healthcare provider or attend an STI clinic if:
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that men who have sex with men and transgender women who have had a bacterial STI (specifically syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea) diagnosed in the past 12 months or who have had condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex should receive counseling that doxy PEP can be used as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent these infections. Oral doxycycline is taken once within 72 hours of condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Summary
Chancres are a form of sore that develops in syphilis. They may appear on or around the genitals, anus, mouth, or lips. Having intimate contact with a person who has chancres can lead to a syphilis infection. Chancres may be round and firm and painless. They may go away without treatment; however, treatment with antibiotics is necessary to avoid a syphilis infection progressing to later stages that can be dangerous.
A Word From Verywell
Coping with a sexually transmitted infection can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. If you suspect you might have syphilis, reach out to your healthcare provider for testing and support. Remember, syphilis can be successfully treated with antibiotics if caught early enough.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn primary stage syphilis, the first symptom is often a single sore, called a chancre. There may be multiple sores.These may be painless, round, and firm.On average, the time between contracting syphilis and the onset of the first symptoms is 21 days.But this can range from 10 days to 90 days.Chancres are typically (but not always) painless. Some people may not even notice them due to not feeling any pain.A chancre typically goes away after three to six weeks, even without treatment. But it is important to remember treatment is still necessary to stop the infection from progressing to later stages, which may lead to complications.
In primary stage syphilis, the first symptom is often a single sore, called a chancre. There may be multiple sores.These may be painless, round, and firm.
In primary stage syphilis, the first symptom is often a single sore, called a chancre. There may be multiple sores.
These may be painless, round, and firm.
On average, the time between contracting syphilis and the onset of the first symptoms is 21 days.But this can range from 10 days to 90 days.
On average, the time between contracting syphilis and the onset of the first symptoms is 21 days.
But this can range from 10 days to 90 days.
Chancres are typically (but not always) painless. Some people may not even notice them due to not feeling any pain.
A chancre typically goes away after three to six weeks, even without treatment. But it is important to remember treatment is still necessary to stop the infection from progressing to later stages, which may lead to complications.
7 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.About syphilis.Penn Medicine.Syphilis.NHS.Overview - syphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis & MSM (men who have sex with men).NHS.Syphilis.MedlinePlus.Syphilis.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
7 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.About syphilis.Penn Medicine.Syphilis.NHS.Overview - syphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis & MSM (men who have sex with men).NHS.Syphilis.MedlinePlus.Syphilis.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
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.About syphilis.Penn Medicine.Syphilis.NHS.Overview - syphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis & MSM (men who have sex with men).NHS.Syphilis.MedlinePlus.Syphilis.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About syphilis.
Penn Medicine.Syphilis.
NHS.Overview - syphilis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis & MSM (men who have sex with men).
NHS.Syphilis.
MedlinePlus.Syphilis.
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
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