3 Ways to Identify the Stages of Syphilis

1. Understand the Primary Stage of Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria called Treponema pallidum. More than 36,000 cases were reported in the United States in 2006. Rates are highest in women aged 20 to 24 years of age and men ages 35 to 39 years. The rate of syphilis is increasing, especially among men who have sex with men.

Syphilis has several stages, each with different symptoms. Each stage of syphilis will get better without treatment. That is, the symptoms will go away. But--and it's a big but--the bacteria remain in your body and can trigger a subsequent phase of the infection if you don't receive appropriate antibiotic treatment. Each successive stage is more severe than the previous one.

The first, or primary stage of syphilis begins an average of 21 days after you get infected and is marked by the appearance of one or more sores, or chancres. These are small, round and usually painless open sores that form wherever the bacteria entered your system--penis, vulva, vagina, mouth, or rectum. You may also notice some swelling of the lymph nodes in that area, too. Ignore the sore and it will go away in a few weeks. But remember, T pallidum is still in your body multiplying. You are highly contagious at this stage of syphilis.

2. Understand the Secondary Stage of Syphilis

If you did not get antibiotic treatment for the first stage of syphilis, the second stage symptoms will begin in 2 to 8 weeks. The bacteria are now in your blood stream, and the infection mostly causes rashes. The rash often turns up first on the palms and soles as red or brown spots, but it can look different on different people. The rash usually is not itchy. You may also find that you have a patch or sore in your mouth or on your genitals or warty growths in your groin, genitals, or skin folds. In fact, the rash can appear just about anywhere and look like any number of other rashes. And sometimes the rash is barely noticeable. Some people also report sore throat, hair loss, fatigue, aches and pains, and other vague symptoms at this time. Syphilis is sometimes called the "Great Pretender," and it's easy to see why. Secondary syphilis can mimic many other disorders. When you have secondary syphilis, you can easily spread the infection to other sex partners.

3. Understand the Third, or Late Stage of Syphilis

If you were not treated when you had secondary syphilis, you have a 10% to 40% chance of developing late-stage syphilis. The infection simmers for as long as 10 to 20 years before the symptoms develop. Typical problems include coordination difficulties, paralysis, numbness, blindness, and even dementia. You may get tumors of the skin, bone, or liver, or syphilis-related heart disease. At this point, the disease is hard to ignore and may be fatal.