Does third-stage syphilis have transmissibility?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 17, 2024

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Syphilis is a disease that often causes fear among the general population. Syphilis is divided into three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary, with tertiary syphilis being the most infectious stage. Syphilis is a chronic systemic infectious disease caused by the infection of the Treponema pallidum bacterium. It has a wide range of transmission methods, including sexual transmission, blood transmission, and mother-to-child transmission, among others. Therefore, the infectiousness of tertiary syphilis is the strongest, and everyone should pay extra attention and take precautions.

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Written by Qu Jing

Dermatology

1min 49sec

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What are the symptoms of syphilis?

Syphilis is divided into acquired syphilis and congenital syphilis, which is transmitted via the fetus. Acquired syphilis, based on the duration of the disease and using two years as a boundary, is further divided into early-stage syphilis and late-stage syphilis. Early-stage syphilis, particularly primary syphilis, mainly presents symptoms such as a chancre and scleradenitis, generally without systemic symptoms. Secondary syphilis occurs when primary syphilis is untreated or not completely treated, allowing the virus to enter the bloodstream from the lymphatic system and spread throughout the body. This causes damages to the skin, mucous membranes, and systemically, known as secondary syphilis. It can manifest as various forms of syphilitic rash, some resembling papular rashes, others similar to dermatitis, eczema, flat lichen, urticaria, psoriasis, pustular disease, and others. Some secondary syphilitic rashes are similar to flat genital warts, and sometimes syphilis can lead to alopecia. Syphilis can also affect mucous membranes, appearing in the mouth, tongue, pharynx, larynx, and genital mucous membranes, characterized by one or more areas of distinct erythema, vesicles, erosion, covered with a grayish-white membrane, generally painless. Some syphilis cases might affect bones, causing damage to bones and joints. Latent syphilis presents no obvious symptoms, and late-stage syphilis might involve the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

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Written by Luo Hong

Dermatology Department

46sec

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Is syphilis without symptoms serious or not serious?

Syphilis without symptoms is generally called latent syphilis. Whether asymptomatic syphilis is severe or not cannot be generalized. Some people react late, and some just have latent syphilis, which is seropositive without other symptoms. Of course, there might also be cases where people have relatively high degrees of TRUST or particularly high low degrees of RPR in latent syphilis. In such cases, symptoms might not be mild, and this type is highly contagious, which might lead to abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid. If there are abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid, these symptoms might not be mild early on and are actually quite serious. Early-stage neurological issues might include memory decline, which is not easily detectable.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

30sec

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Third-stage syphilis has no symptoms.

Once tertiary syphilis has developed, it is highly unlikely for there to be no symptoms. Tertiary syphilis is a late stage of the disease, generally involving the skin, mucous membranes, cardiovascular system, and even the motor and nervous systems. If there are no symptoms present, it is generally not possible to be in the tertiary stage of syphilis. Therefore, if tertiary syphilis occurs, it will not be without symptoms.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

1min 18sec

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Early symptoms of syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, with the disease course within two years referred to as early syphilis. Not all infected individuals display symptoms; asymptomatic syphilis is also known as latent syphilis. Symptomatic early syphilis primarily manifests as either primary or secondary syphilis. The main symptom of primary syphilis is a chancre, typically occurring as a clear-bordered ulcer in the genital area. It is flesh-colored and neither painful nor itchy. Several weeks after the chancre heals, secondary syphilis can develop, characterized by a rash that may resemble other skin conditions. Common manifestations include macules, papular macules, copper-red papules on hands and feet, flat condyloma, and syphilitic alopecia. Individuals who suspect they may have been exposed to syphilis should visit a hospital for a blood test to detect syphilis antibodies. Antibodies can usually be detected four weeks after infection, and a negative result three months later can rule out syphilis.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

47sec

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How long does it take to cure third-stage syphilis?

Third-stage syphilis is the most severe stage of the disease. It generally damages the nervous system and cardiovascular system of the human body, thus having a significant impact. There is no definite timeline for the cure of third-stage syphilis. The treatment of third-stage syphilis primarily involves controlling the condition with medication; there is still no specific method that can completely cure it thoroughly. Therefore, it is necessary to take medication for a long period. Currently, for treating third-stage syphilis, procaine penicillin is generally chosen for patients. In fact, procaine penicillin mainly helps effectively control the syphilis spirochete.