The Various Stages of Syphilis: Why Early Detection is Crucial
Are you at risk for complications from undetected syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. This disease is often difficult to diagnose and detect as its symptoms often overlap with those of other common sexually transmitted diseases.
Health officials in the United States reported over 32,000 cases of syphilis in 2002, including 6,862 cases of primary and secondary syphilis. Women 20 to 24 years of age and in men 35 to 39 years of age had the highest number of infections. However, cases of congenital syphilis in newborns decreased from 2001 to 2002.
Syphilis is passed through direct contact with syphilis sores from person to person. The external genitals, vagina, anus, and rectum are all common locations for sores to occur. Sores may occur on the lips and in the mouth. The disease is transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The disease can be passed from infected pregnant mothers to the babies they are carrying. However, syphilis cannot be spread through contact with objects, which include toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.
Although many people infected with syphilis go for years without symptoms, they still remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated. Transmission appears to occur from persons with sores who are in the primary or secondary stage. Transmission typically occurs among people who are unaware of their infection and who do not recognize signs of primary or secondary stage symptoms. Below are brief descriptions of primary and secondary stages of syphilis.
Primary Stage
This stage is usually characterized by the appearance of a single sore, which is called a chancre. Often there may be multiple sores. The chancre, which appears at the spot where syphilis entered the body, is usually firm, round, small, and painless. Lasting 3 to 6 weeks, the chancre heals without treatment. However, if adequate treatment is not administered, the infection progresses to the secondary stage.
Secondary Stage
The secondary stage is marked by a skin rash and mucous membrane lesions. The rash may develop in one or more areas of the body and does not cause itching. The rash may appear reddish brown and rough. Other symptoms include muscle aches, fever, headaches, swollen glands, and fatigue. Secondary symptoms will resolve themselves, but without additional treatment the infection will progress onto the late stages of disease.
Late Stage
The late stage of syphilis is where the infection remains latent in the body. This last phase damages internal organs, brain, nerves, liver, eyes, and joints. The damage caused by the infection may be serious enough to be fatal. The bacterium can also cause serious complications in pregnant women and the unborn baby.
As syphilis is very easy to cure when detected in its early stages, early detection is crucial to avoid more serious health risks associated with the disease.