Is tertiary syphilis highly contagious?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on December 06, 2024

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The infectivity of tertiary syphilis is not very high, although it still possesses relatively weak contagiousness. Syphilis in its primary and secondary stages often shows high titers in tests and has stronger infectivity, while tertiary syphilis has reduced infectivity. However, tertiary syphilis can easily lead to various complications, including damage to tissues and organs, making it more harmful than the primary and secondary stages. Therefore, it is crucial to treat tertiary syphilis promptly.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

45sec

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What is the typical titer for third-stage syphilis?

The titers of tertiary syphilis are generally lower than those of primary and secondary syphilis. Syphilis is divided into three stages. During the primary and secondary stages, the reactivity of the Treponema pallidum is higher, thus the titers are also higher. However, the titers for tertiary syphilis often appear lower or even negative. The level of syphilis titers is not significantly related to the duration of the illness. Interestingly, tertiary syphilis generally occurs when the disease has already progressed for more than two years, which results in lower titers.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong

Infectious Diseases

47sec

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What are the symptoms of AIDS and syphilis?

AIDS and syphilis infections are both long-term processes. For example, a patient with primary syphilis mainly presents with a hard chancre. This can occur at locations such as the corona of the glans penis, the urinary meatus of the foreskin, the labia, the cervix, and also can be seen on the tongue, lips, breasts, and other places. At these locations, a hard chancre appears, which is painless and itchless, and presents as a round or oval, well-demarcated ulcer. The symptoms of AIDS are primarily seen in the early stages of the disease, and include fever, vomiting, fatigue, itchy skin, nodules, joint pain, and other symptoms of decreased immune function.

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Written by Zhai Yu Juan

Dermatology Department

1min 5sec

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Treatment of Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with the syphilis spirochete. Transmission routes include sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, close living contact transmission, and blood transmission. Sexual transmission is the main mode of transmission. After infection with syphilis, it can affect various organs throughout the body, causing a variety of symptoms. Syphilis is primarily diagnosed through hematological tests to determine if one is infected. After a diagnosis of syphilis, formal anti-syphilis treatment is needed, with the first choices being long-acting penicillin and benzathine penicillin. After treatment, regular follow-ups are necessary, generally over a three-year period: every three months in the first year, every six months in the second year, and once in the third year, to determine if the condition has improved. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

37sec

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Which is more serious, syphilis or AIDS?

Syphilis and AIDS, between the two, AIDS is more serious. This is because AIDS currently cannot be cured, and requires long-term regular intake of antiretroviral drugs. Syphilis, on the other hand, can be completely cured. In the early stages of syphilis, such as primary and secondary syphilis, the treatment is often very effective and also very convenient. Generally, a treatment course of two to three weeks can cure most syphilis infections. Therefore, between syphilis and AIDS, AIDS is more serious. These two diseases often occur simultaneously because both are transmitted sexually.