Is syphilis without symptoms serious or not serious?

Written by Luo Hong
Dermatology Department
Updated on May 07, 2025
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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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Can third-stage syphilis be completely cured?

Third-stage syphilis and late-stage syphilis generally have a longer duration, with many cases exceeding two years. Third-stage syphilis can cause damage to the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and there may be residual symptoms after improvement. However, with persistent long-term standard treatment, it is still possible to achieve a cure. Therefore, if one contracts third-stage syphilis, it is crucial to adhere to the treatment and cooperate actively with the therapy.

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How to test for AIDS and syphilis?

If you have engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors, or suspect that you might have contracted HIV or syphilis for any other reason, then it is necessary to go to a qualified hospital in a timely manner for blood tests to check for syphilis antibodies, syphilis titers, and HIV antibodies. If the syphilis antibody test is positive and the titer is high, timely treatment should be sought. If the HIV antibody test is positive, then it is necessary to visit a disease control center or a medical institution designated by the government for further confirmatory tests to either rule out or confirm HIV infection.

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Can tertiary syphilis be treated?

Third-stage syphilis is treatable, but typically, it develops two to three years after the initial syphilis infection, making it more severe than both the first and second stages—this is what we refer to as late-stage syphilis. Therefore, treating third-stage syphilis is somewhat more challenging than treating the first and second stages. Additionally, third-stage syphilis particularly tends to cause damage to cardiovascular, neurological, joint, and other organ systems. If it leads to severe complications, it can easily result in deformities, disabilities, or even death. Therefore, it is crucial to be especially vigilant if diagnosed with third-stage syphilis and to seek timely treatment at a hospital.

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How long is the latency period for tertiary syphilis?

The latency period of tertiary syphilis is not clearly defined, but it is certain that once tertiary syphilis appears, the duration of illness in patients generally exceeds two to three years, meaning the latency period is at least two to three years long. Of course, some patients may reach five to ten years. This depends on each individual's resistance as well as the virulence and amount of the virus. Additionally, if one contracts tertiary syphilis, it is crucial to seek timely and proper treatment, as it may be life-threatening.

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Can urethritis syphilis recur?

Urethritis and syphilis can both recur. Urethritis is primarily due to bacterial cleansing, leading to inflammatory infection of the urinary tract. If personal hygiene is not maintained, it can cause recurrence of urethritis, or the presence of other urinary system diseases may also lead to its recurrence. A relapse of syphilis refers to the condition where, after treatment, the titer is controlled below 1:4, but during an intermittent observation period, the titer rises again, and the proportion of increase is relatively high. This situation is considered a recurrence of syphilis.