Counselor_Ron
Approximately 3 weeks after infection, a painless sore appears where the bacteria enters the body. This disappers within a few weeks, but if untreated may reappear. A latent stage, during which the victim is not contagious, may last up to 30 years, lulling victims into thinking they are healed.
During the last stage of the disease, some people develop paralysis, crippling, blindness, heart disease, brain damage and insanity, and they can die as a direct result of the disease.
However, it is easily treatable: a simple shot of penicillin can do the trick. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local department of public health. Free testing is available, as well as risk reduction, and post-infection counseling.
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This first stage of syphilis is characterized by a lesion (or chancre) which normally forms around the genital region. In about half of the cases reported the lesion has a raised, firm red border. The chancre is generally a dark pink color and does not bleed easily. It must be stressed that the appearance of this chancre can vary greatly. Furthermore, it is not necessarily a single lesion; multiple lesions may exist but are less common. If the lesion is untreated, it may heal on its own. However, without the attention of a physician the disease will progress.
The Secondary Stage
Once the primary lesion has healed, new symptoms will affect the patient. Secondary lesions are likely to form. These lesions are normally on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet but it is possible for them to form in other areas as well. Other symptoms include a sore throat, low-grade fever, headache and a rash. The appearance and location of the rash is highly variable; it does not itch and is not uncomfortable. If left untreated, the secondary lesions will heal and all other symptoms will disappear; this indicates that the disease has evolved into latent syphilis.
Latent Syphillis
This third stage of syphilis usually begins from 6 months to 2 years after the initial infection. About 25% of patients may experience a return of some the secondary symptoms. Yet in most cases, the latent stage is asymptomatic. Many may assume that the disease has cured itself and it is therefore sometimes left untreated. Latent syphilis may stay with the patient for life or late syphilis may appear within 2 years of the initial infection.
Late Syphillis (also referred to as Tertiary Syphillis
Late syphilis may emerge in any area of the body as late as 30 to 50 years following the initial infection. Around 35% of those who are left untreated will contract late syphilis. Late syphilis may take the forms of late benign syphilis, cardiovascular syphilis and neurosyphilitic disease. A patient may have one or a combination of these forms. The mortality rate for all patients with untreated syphilis is approximately 25%. Although the majority of patients who are left untreated will not develop late syphilis, there is no way to diagnose which patients are at risk.
Tertiary Benign or Late Benign Syphilis
Late syphilis is an extremely rare disease in Canada and the United States. Late benign syphilis is the most common form of late syphilis which normally appears 3 to 7 years after initial exposure. Harmful ulcers (called gummas) typically form on or in the affected organs. It may affect the skin, liver, digestive tract, muscles, eyes and endocrine organs. The term "benign" indicates that the ulcers rarely cause physical impairment or death. If a proper treatment by a physician is followed, the gummas will heal and the patient will recover in most cases.
Cardiovascular Syphilis
Cardiovascular syphilis is a relatively rare form of syphilis which affects about 10% of all treated patients after 10 to 40 years of untreated syphilis. This form of syphilis results in damage to the heart and major blood vessels, and is therefore often fatal.
Neurosyphilitic Disease
Under 10% of all untreated patients will be affected by neurosyphilitc disease. The central nervous system is adversely affected which generally results in paralysis and/or paresis (insanity).
Orignal From: What are some common symptoms of syphilis from onset through progression?
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