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Diseases » Syphilis » Symptoms

Symptoms of Syphilis



Contents

Symptoms of Syphilis

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Syphilis includes the 107 symptoms listed below:

Research symptoms & diagnosis of Syphilis:

Syphilis: Complications

Review medical complications possibly associated with Syphilis:

Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing of medical conditions related to Syphilis:

  • Swab of chancre - in primary and secondary syphilis phases
  • Swab/scraping test
  • Syphilis blood tests
  • VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test
  • RPR (rapid plasma reagin) test
  • more tests...»

Research More About Syphilis

Do I have Syphilis?

Syphilis: Medical Mistakes

Syphilis: Undiagnosed Conditions

Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Syphilis:

Wrongly Diagnosed with Syphilis?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Syphilis includes:

See the full list of 14 alternative diagnoses for Syphilis

More about symptoms of Syphilis:

More information about symptoms of Syphilis and related conditions:

Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

Medical Books Online about Syphilis

Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Syphilis are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Syphilis.

Medical Books Excerpts

Genital lesions in the male

  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)

Syphilis

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)

Genital lesions in the male

  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)

Syphilis

  • "Handbook of Diseases" (2003)

Genital lesions in the male

  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)

Genital lesions, male

  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)

Syphilis

  • "The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult" (2008)

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

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Patient Surveys for Syphilis

Symptoms of Syphilis: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Syphilis.


Syphilis: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Primary syphilis develops after an incubation period that generally lasts about 3 weeks. Initially, one or more chancres (small, fluid-filled lesions) erupt on the genitalia; others may erupt on the anus, fingers, lips, tongue, nipples, tonsils, or eyelids. These chancres, which are usually painless, start as papules and then erode; they have indurated, raised edges and clear bases. Chancres typically disappear after 3 to 6 weeks, even when untreated. They’re usually associated with regional lymphadenopathy (unilateral or bilateral). In females, chancres are commonly overlooked because they usually develop on internal structures — the cervix or the vaginal wall.

The development of symmetrical mucocutaneous lesions and general lymphadenopathy signals the onset of secondary syphilis, which may develop within a few days or up to 8 weeks after onset of initial chancres. The rash of secondary syphilis can be macular, papular, pustular, or nodular. Lesions are of uniform size, well defined, and generalized. Macules typically erupt between rolls of fat on the trunk and, proximally, on the arms, palms, soles, face, and scalp. In warm, moist areas (perineum, scrotum, vulva, and between rolls of fat), the lesions enlarge and erode, producing highly contagious, pink or grayish white lesions (condylomata lata).

Mild constitutional symptoms of syphilis appear in the second stage and may include headache, malaise, anorexia, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, sore throat and, possibly, slight fever. Alopecia may occur, with or without treatment, and is usually temporary. Nails become brittle and pitted.

Latent syphilis is characterized by an absence of clinical symptoms but a reactive serologic test for syphilis. Because infectious mucocutaneous lesions may reappear when infection is of less than 4 years’duration, early latent syphilis is considered contagious. Approximately two-thirds of patients remain asymptomatic in the late latent stage; the rest develop characteristic late-stage symptoms.

Late syphilis is the final, destructive but noninfectious stage of the disease. It has three subtypes, any or all of which may affect the patient: late benign syphilis, cardiovascular syphilis, and neurosyphilis. The lesions of late benign syphilis develop on the skin, bones, mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract, liver, or stomach between 1 and 10 years after infection. The typical lesion is a gumma — a chronic, superficial nodule or deep, granulomatous lesion that’s solitary, asymmetrical, painless, and indurated. Gummas can be found on any bone — particularly the long bones of the legs — and in any organ. If late syphilis involves the liver, it can cause epigastric pain, tenderness, enlarged spleen, and anemia; if it involves the upper respiratory tract, it can cause perforation of the nasal septum or the palate. In severe cases, late benign syphilis results in destruction of bones or organs, which eventually causes death.

Cardiovascular syphilis develops about 10 years after the initial infection in approximately 10% of patients with late, untreated syphilis. It causes fibrosis of elastic tissue of the aorta and leads to aortitis, usually in the ascending and transverse sections of the aortic arch. Cardiovascular syphilis may be asymptomatic or may cause aortic insufficiency or aneurysm.

Symptoms of neurosyphilis develop in about 8% of patients with late, untreated syphilis and appear from 5 to 35 years after infection. These clinical effects consist of meningitis and widespread central nervous system damage that may include general paresis, personality changes, and arm and leg weakness.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Syphilis: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

Each stage produces distinctive signs and symptoms.

Primary syphilis

After an incubation period that generally lasts about 3 weeks, symptoms of primary syphilis develop.

Initially, one or more chancres (small, fluid-filled lesions) erupt on the genitalia; others may erupt on the anus, fingers, lips, tongue, nipples, tonsils, or eyelids. These chancres, which are usually painless, start as papules and then erode; they have indurated, raised edges and clear bases.

Chancres typically disappear after 3 to 6 weeks, even when untreated. They are usually associated with regional lymphadenopathy (unilateral or bilateral). In women, chancres are frequently overlooked because they often develop on internal structures — the cervix or the vaginal wall.

Secondary syphilis

The development of symmetrical mucocutaneous lesions and general lymphadenopathy signals the onset of secondary syphilis, which may develop within a few days or up to 8 weeks after the onset of initial chancres.

The rash of secondary syphilis can be macular, papular, pustular, or nodular. Lesions are of uniform size, well defined, and generalized. Macules often erupt between rolls of fat on the trunk and on the arms, palms, soles, face, and scalp. In warm, moist areas (perineum, scrotum, vulva, between rolls of fat), the lesions enlarge and erode, producing highly contagious, pink or grayish white lesions (condylomata lata). Even without treatment, rashes clear up on their own.

Mild constitutional symptoms of syphilis appear in the second stage and may include headache, malaise, anorexia, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, sore throat and, possibly, slight fever. Alopecia may occur, with or without treatment, and is usually temporary. Nails become brittle and pitted.

Latent syphilis

Although no clinical symptoms occur in latent syphilis, it produces a reactive serologic test for syphilis. Because infectious mucocutaneous lesions may reappear when infection is of less than 4 years’duration, early latent syphilis is considered contagious.

Approximately two-thirds of patients remain asymptomatic in the late latent stage until death. The rest develop characteristic late-stage symptoms.

Late syphilis

The final, destructive, but noninfectious stage of the disease, late syphilis has three subtypes, any or all of which may affect the patient: late benign syphilis, cardiovascular syphilis, and neurosyphilis.

The lesions of late benign syphilis develop between 1 and 10 years after infection. They may appear on the skin, bones, mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract, liver, or stomach.

The typical lesion is a gumma — a chronic, superficial nodule or deep, granulomatous lesion that’s solitary, asymmetrical, painless, and indurated. Gummas can be found on any bone, particularly the long bones of the legs, and in any organ.

If late syphilis involves the liver, it can cause epigastric pain, tenderness, enlarged spleen, and anemia; if it involves the upper respiratory tract, it may cause perforation of the nasal septum or the palate. In severe cases, late benign syphilis results in destruction of bones or organs, which eventually causes death.

Cardiovascular syphilis develops about 10 years after the initial infection in approximately 10% of patients with late, untreated syphilis. It causes fibrosis of elastic tissue of the aorta and leads to aortitis, most often in the ascending and transverse sections of the aortic arch. Cardiovascular syphilis may be asymptomatic or may cause aortic regurgitation or aneurysm.

Symptoms of neurosyphilis develop in about 8% of patients with late, untreated syphilis and appear from 5 to 35 years after infection. These clinical effects consist of meningitis and widespread central nervous system damage that may include general paresis, personality changes, and arm and leg weakness.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Syphilis: Syphilis - signs & symptoms
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)

  • Congenital syphilis:
    • Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic to death or stillbirth.
    • Clinical signs include periostitis, osteochondritis, persistent rhinorrhea, or maculopapular rash.
  • Acquired syphilis:
    • Primary stage: Painless, indurated ulcers (chancres), single or multiple, at the site of inoculation ~3 weeks after exposure (range 10–90 days); lesions usually resolve without treatment in 3–6 weeks.
    • Secondary stage: Generalized rash, which is often maculopapular and involves the palms and soles; condyloma lata, hypertrophic papular lesions; fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy; signs appear 3–6 weeks after initial chancre and may last 2–10 weeks
    • Relapse: Symptoms of secondary syphilis may recur 1 or more times before the latent period.
    • Latent period: Untreated, illness may enter a latent stage; patients are asymptomatic, not contagious; lasts 1–40 years or more; patients seroreactive but without other evidence of disease.
      • Early latent period: 1st 4 years of latent period
      • Late latent period: Subsequent years
    • Tertiary stage: Up to 1/3 of untreated secondary syphilis cases progress to tertiary or late disease; can occur many years after the primary infection; may see gummatous changes of the skin, bone, and/or viscera, or cardiovascular syphilis
    • Neurosyphilis: CNS involvement in 3–7% of untreated cases; can develop at any stage of disease; signs include changes in mood/behavior, hyperactive reflexes, impaired memory and/or judgment, and Argyll–Robertson pupils

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Syphilis:

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

The first symptoms of syphilis may go undetected because they are very mild and disappear spontaneously. The initial symptom is a chancre; it is usually a painless open sore that usually appears on the penis or around or in the vagina. It can also occur near the mouth, anus, or on the hands. If untreated, syphilis may go on to more advanced stages, including a transient rash and, eventually, serious involvement of the heart and central nervous system. The full course of the disease can take years. Penicillin remains the most effective drug to treat people with syphilis. (Source: excerpt from Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Syphilis, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

The initial infection causes an ulcer at the site of infection; however, the bacteria move throughout the body, damaging many organs over time. Medical experts describe the course of the disease by dividing it into four stages – primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary (late). An infected person who has not been treated may infect others during the first two stages, which usually last one to two years. In its late stages, untreated syphilis, although not contagious, can cause serious heart abnormalities, mental disorders, blindness, other neurologic problems, and death. (Source: excerpt from Syphilis, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Syphilis, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

The first symptom of primary syphilis is an ulcer called a chancre ("shan-ker"). The chancre can appear within 10 days to three months after exposure, but it generally appears within two to six weeks. Because the chancre may be painless and may occur inside the body, it may go unnoticed. It usually is found on the part of the body exposed to the partner’s ulcer, such as the penis, the vulva, or the vagina. A chancre also can develop on the cervix, tongue, lips, or other parts of the body. The chancre disappears within a few weeks whether or not a person is treated. If not treated during the primary stage, about one-third of people will progress to chronic stages.

Secondary syphilis is often marked by a skin rash that is characterized by brown sores about the size of a penny. The rash appears anywhere from three to six weeks after the chancre appears. While the rash may cover the whole body or appear only in a few areas, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are almost always involved. Because active bacteria are present in these sores, any physical contact – sexual or nonsexual – with the broken skin of an infected person may spread the infection at this stage. The rash usually heals within several weeks or months. Other symptoms also may occur, such as mild fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, as well as patchy hair loss, and swollen lymph glands throughout the body. These symptoms may be very mild and, like the chancre of primary syphilis, will disappear without treatment. The signs of secondary syphilis may come and go over the next one to two years.

If untreated, syphilis may lapse into a latent stage during which the disease is no longer contagious and no symptoms are present. Many people who are not treated will suffer no further consequences of the disease. Approximately one-third of those who have secondary syphilis, however, go on to develop the complications of late, or tertiary, syphilis, in which the bacteria damage the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones, joints, or almost any other part of the body. This stage can last for years, or even for decades. Late syphilis, the final stage, can result in mental illness, blindness, other neurologic problems, heart disease, and death. (Source: excerpt from Syphilis, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Syphilis: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The first symptom of primary syphilis is a sore called a chancre ("shan-ker"), which can appear within 10 days to 3 months after exposure. Chancres usually develop on the part of the body exposed to the bacteria, such as the penis, the vulva, or the vagina, as well as the cervix, tongue, lips, or other parts of the body. Because the chancre is ordinarily painless and sometimes occurs inside the body, it may go unnoticed. The next stage of syphilis is marked by a skin rash that appears anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks after the chancre appears, sometimes accompanied by symptoms like mild fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, as well as patchy hair loss, and swollen lymph glands throughout the body. (Source: excerpt from Syphilis: NWHIC)

Syphilis as a Cause of Symptoms or Medical Conditions

When considering symptoms of Syphilis, it is also important to consider Syphilis as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Syphilis may cause:

- (Source - Diseases Database)

Syphilis: Onset and Incubation

Incubation period for Syphilis: 10 days to 3 months

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Syphilis:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Syphilis. This signs and symptoms information for Syphilis has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Syphilis signs or Syphilis symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Syphilis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Syphilis symptoms.


 » Next page: Diagnostic Tests for Syphilis

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