Syphilis can be cured, true or false?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on July 03, 2025
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Syphilis belongs to a category of sexually transmitted diseases and is infected through sexual contact. The most common symptoms include a hard chancre at the genital area, presenting as a painless ulcerative lesion. Syphilis can be completely cured with proper treatment; however, even after complete recovery, the presence of Treponema pallidum will remain positive for life, which is irreversible. Most treated syphilis cases can return to normal titers or maintain at a normal level without pathogenicity or recurrence. During the treatment of syphilis, it is essential to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle habits, avoid soaking in public baths or swimming pools, ensure underwear worn is sun-disinfected, and abstain from sexual contact.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How should tertiary syphilis be managed?

The treatment and management of tertiary syphilis is a challenging process since it is a late stage of the disease, affecting the skin, bones, mucous membranes, cardiovascular system, nerves, and potentially triggering diseases in various bodily systems. For managing tertiary syphilis, it is recommended to consume high-protein and high-vitamin foods such as apples, bananas, green vegetables, and radishes. It is crucial to seek timely medical treatment at a hospital and address any complications that arise, which can help in gradually managing and alleviating the condition of tertiary syphilis.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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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 Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What are the initial symptoms of syphilis?

The initial symptoms of syphilis typically refer to the symptoms of primary and secondary syphilis. The symptoms of primary syphilis mainly include a chancre, usually a single superficial ulcer located at the genital area with a clear border, scant discharge, no pain, and no tenderness. Serological tests would show a positive result for Treponema pallidum. Some patients may also experience local lymph node enlargement. In secondary syphilis, patients often develop papules, macules, and vesicles on the skin, and symmetrical copper-red macules appear on the hands and feet. For the treatment of syphilis infection, penicillin is primarily chosen. If there is an allergy to penicillin, macrolide antibiotics can be used as an alternative. It is crucial to treat syphilis promptly after infection.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Will third-stage syphilis be asymptomatic?

In the case of third-stage syphilis, it is generally not asymptomatic, as it is already a late stage of the disease that invades multiple systems, such as the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and even the cardiovascular system. When these systems are invaded, they become damaged, leading to various complications. Therefore, third-stage syphilis typically presents with various signs of organ dysfunction, and it is unlikely to be without any symptoms once it has progressed to this stage.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What are the symptoms of syphilis in women?

In the early stages of syphilis in women, a hard chancre appears, often accompanied by swollen inguinal lymph nodes. These nodes are about the size of a finger, relatively hard, non-fusing, painless, and without tenderness; their surfaces exhibit no redness, swelling, or signs of inflammation such as fever. The lymph fluid from a puncture will contain Treponema pallidum (the syphilis bacterium). During the early stage of syphilis, the appearance of a hard chancre significantly increases the positivity rate for syphilis. If the hard chancre is not treated timely, it generally disappears naturally within three to four weeks, after which it enters the latent phase of secondary syphilis. The second stage of syphilis is typically characterized by patches of varying-sized erythemas on the trunk and copper-red, symmetrical maculopapular rashes on the palms and soles. Upon detection of syphilis, prompt and thorough treatment is essential.