Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSide Effects and ComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Side Effects and Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that goes through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
If left untreated, syphilis can invade multiple systems in the body and damage organs. This can be life-threatening.
Learn more about the symptoms of syphilis, how it is transmitted, its side effects, complications, and treatment options.
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What Is Syphilis?
Syphilisis a form of STI. It is curable, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications.
The infection occurs in four stages:
The different stages can cause different symptoms. Tertiary syphilis is the most serious stage and can result in a number of complications.
Symptoms of Primary and Secondary Syphilis
During primary syphilis, symptoms may include a single sore or multiple sores. This may occur on or near the:
Typically, the sores are painless, firm, and round. In primary syphilis, they may last between three to six weeks and heal even without treatment. Treatment is still necessary, though, to prevent progression to secondary syphilis.
In secondary syphilis, rashes and sores may appear on or near the anus, mouth, or vagina.
The rash may be:
Other symptoms that may occur in secondary syphilis include:
How It Is Transmitted
Those who are sexually active can get syphilis. The infection also can be transmitted from a pregnant person to the fetus.
During oral, anal, or vaginal sex, syphilis spreads through direct contact with a syphilis sore.
Syphilis is not spread through casual contact. This means it can’t be contracted through:
At any stage, a syphilis infection can invade various systems throughout the body. This can lead to side effects and complications.
Neurosyphilis
Neurosyphilismost commonly occurs in people who have had untreated syphilis for years. It typically occurs 10 to 20 years after the initial infection with syphilis.
Not everyone with syphilis will develop neurosyphilis.
Neurosyphilis can cause a variety of symptoms:
Ocular Syphilis
Ocular syphilis occurs when the syphilis infection invades the eye, affecting vision.
Symptoms of ocular syphilis may include:
Otosyphilis
Otosyphilis occurs when the syphilis infection invades the vestibular, or auditory (hearing), system of the body.
This can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Cardiovascular Syphilis
Cardiovascular syphilis occurs when a syphilis infection invades the cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels).
Cardiovascular syphilis can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Gummatous Syphilis
During late-stage syphilis (tertiary syphilis), growths similar to tumors can form. These are called gumma and are swollen or dead tissue.
Congenital Syphilis
In congenital syphilis, the infection is passed from the pregnant person to the fetus in the uterus. This happens when syphilis infection occurs either prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy.
Symptoms of congenital syphilis do not always appear immediately at birth and may take weeks, months, or years following birth to develop.
Early congenital syphilis may cause symptoms between the ages of 3 and 14 weeks, but can also occur up to the age of 5.
Possible symptoms include:
Late congenital syphilis may cause symptoms after the age of 5. Some people may be undiagnosed even into adulthood.
How to Test for Syphilis
In the majority of cases, a blood test is used to test for syphilis. Sometimes fluid taken from a syphilis sore is also tested.
If you have symptoms that indicate syphilis, you should be tested. Your sexual partners should also be tested.
Even after treatment, it is possible to get syphilis again.
How to Prevent the Risk of Infection
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Having an STI can be uncomfortable. If you have symptoms that indicate syphilis, it is important to reach out to a healthcare provider. They can provide testing and treatment that will help prevent dangerous complications.
Syphilis may take on a different appearance depending on the stage of the infection. In primary syphilis, you may get sores that are firm and round.In secondary syphilis, a rash may also appear that is red, reddish brown, or rough looking.
Syphilis may take on a different appearance depending on the stage of the infection. In primary syphilis, you may get sores that are firm and round.
In secondary syphilis, a rash may also appear that is red, reddish brown, or rough looking.
Syphilis has four stages:PrimarySecondaryLatentTertiary
Syphilis has four stages:
If left untreated, syphilis can impact multiple organs and systems within the body. This can be life-threatening.
Length of treatment varies based on the stage of the disease. Tertiary syphilis may require a longer treatment period than primary syphilis.Treatment may be required for weeks or longer.
Length of treatment varies based on the stage of the disease. Tertiary syphilis may require a longer treatment period than primary syphilis.
Treatment may be required for weeks or longer.
11 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 – CDC fact sheet,MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.Meza K, et al.Rapidly progressive dementia as a manifestation of neurosyphilis: case report.Neurology Apr2017, 88 (16 Supplement) P6.310;Mount Sinai.Syphilitic aseptic meningitis.Nutile L.Neurosyphilis with psychosis as the primary presentation.The American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal. 12 Mar 2021. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2021.160304Medline Plus.Tabes dorsalis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aortic aneurysm.Li Xiangdong et al.Cardiovascular syphilis-associated acute myocardial infarction,Medicine: February 19, 2021 - Volume 100 - Issue 7 - p e24788 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000024788MedlinePlus.Gumma.NORD.Congenital syphilis.NHS.Treatment - syphilis.
11 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 – CDC fact sheet,MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.Meza K, et al.Rapidly progressive dementia as a manifestation of neurosyphilis: case report.Neurology Apr2017, 88 (16 Supplement) P6.310;Mount Sinai.Syphilitic aseptic meningitis.Nutile L.Neurosyphilis with psychosis as the primary presentation.The American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal. 12 Mar 2021. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2021.160304Medline Plus.Tabes dorsalis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aortic aneurysm.Li Xiangdong et al.Cardiovascular syphilis-associated acute myocardial infarction,Medicine: February 19, 2021 - Volume 100 - Issue 7 - p e24788 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000024788MedlinePlus.Gumma.NORD.Congenital syphilis.NHS.Treatment - syphilis.
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 – CDC fact sheet,MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.Meza K, et al.Rapidly progressive dementia as a manifestation of neurosyphilis: case report.Neurology Apr2017, 88 (16 Supplement) P6.310;Mount Sinai.Syphilitic aseptic meningitis.Nutile L.Neurosyphilis with psychosis as the primary presentation.The American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal. 12 Mar 2021. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2021.160304Medline Plus.Tabes dorsalis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aortic aneurysm.Li Xiangdong et al.Cardiovascular syphilis-associated acute myocardial infarction,Medicine: February 19, 2021 - Volume 100 - Issue 7 - p e24788 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000024788MedlinePlus.Gumma.NORD.Congenital syphilis.NHS.Treatment - syphilis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis – CDC fact sheet,
MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.
Meza K, et al.Rapidly progressive dementia as a manifestation of neurosyphilis: case report.Neurology Apr2017, 88 (16 Supplement) P6.310;
Nutile L.Neurosyphilis with psychosis as the primary presentation.The American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal. 12 Mar 2021. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2021.160304
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aortic aneurysm.
Li Xiangdong et al.Cardiovascular syphilis-associated acute myocardial infarction,Medicine: February 19, 2021 - Volume 100 - Issue 7 - p e24788 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000024788
MedlinePlus.Gumma.
NORD.Congenital syphilis.
NHS.Treatment - syphilis.
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