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Syphilis is an infectious disease caused
by the spirochete Treponema pallidum,
which penetrates broken skin or mucous membranes. Transmission
occurs most frequently by sexual contact. Syphilis can also be
transmitted to the fetus during any stage in pregnancy. Syphilis is
widespread in the United States and primarily involves sexually
active adults between 20-29 years of age.
Syphilis has several stages. In the
primary stage, painless sores, called chancres, appear approximately
2-3 weeks after initial exposure. Some individuals with primary
syphilis may not notice chancres nor have symptoms associated with
them, in particular if the chancres are located in the rectum or
cervix. In about 4 to 6 weeks chancres will usually disappear.
Approximately one-third of untreated
individuals will progress to the second stage: secondary syphilis.
This usually occurs at about 2 to 8 weeks after the appearance of
the original chancre in some cases the chancre may still be present.
Secondary syphilis is the stage where the bacteria have spread in
the bloodstream and have reached their highest numbers.
The most common symptoms include:
skin rash which can be varied in appearance, yet frequently involves
the palms and soles, in addition to lesions in the mouth, vagina,
penis (mucous patches), swollen lymph nodes, and fever. This stage
is the most contagious stage of syphilis. It usually resolves within
weeks to a year. A latent phase follows, which may last for years
and is characterized by the absence of symptoms.
The final stage of syphilis is called
tertiary syphilis (syphilis; tertiary) and is characterized by brain
or central nervous system involvement (neurosyphilis),
cardiovascular involvement with inflammation of the aorta (aortitis
or aneurysms), and gummatous syphilis (destructive lesions of the
skin and bones). |
