Is cervical lymphadenopathy related to syphilis?

Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
Updated on January 29, 2025
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Enlargement of cervical lymph nodes is somewhat related to syphilis. Although cervical lymph node enlargement is not necessarily solely caused by syphilis, if syphilis progresses to its secondary or tertiary stages, it tends to cause lymph node enlargement, and severe cases may even lead to ulceration. This happens because after a syphilis infection, immune responses in the lymph cells are triggered by the Treponema pallidum, leading to the enlargement of cervical lymph nodes, and also possibly the lymph nodes under the arms and in the groin area. In such cases, it is advised to seek timely medical attention, complete the necessary immunological testing, and ensure an accurate diagnosis of syphilis. If cervical lymph node enlargement occurs, prolonged treatment with penicillin should be administered, as it effectively controls the Treponema pallidum and can help reduce the severity of the lymph node enlargement.

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Does third-stage syphilis rash itch?

People with tertiary syphilis generally do not experience itching. Tertiary syphilis represents the later stages of the disease manifestation. Typically, the symptoms on the skin are neither painful nor itchy, which is the case for most individuals. However, some patients may feel differently from the majority, experiencing anomalies, or they might develop secondary conditions such as eczema or allergies, among others, possibly leading to mild itching and so on.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
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Early symptoms of syphilis

Syphilis is a chronic, systemic sexually transmitted disease caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium. It is highly contagious and very harmful. The early symptoms of syphilis usually include the appearance of a chancre. Typically, about three weeks after infection, a hard, painless, round nodule appears at the site of infection. It starts as a reddish, moist spot, then gradually becomes ulcerated and eroded, forming an ulcer. This is an early manifestation of syphilis, known as a chancre. The harm caused by syphilis is very significant. Once syphilis is diagnosed, it is crucial to start treatment early. Early prevention of syphilis is essential, and any early symptoms should be taken very seriously. Treatment can be administered under a doctor's guidance, usually involving the muscle injection of long-acting penicillin. (Under the guidance of a doctor for medication.)

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Is frequent oral ulceration related to syphilis?

Mouth ulcers are not related to syphilis. Mouth ulcers involve the breakdown of mucous membrane tissues inside the mouth, which can appear as one or several ulcerative lesions, sometimes showing a milky-white appearance, along with possible milky-white peeling. Therefore, they are not connected to syphilis, and patients are advised not to worry excessively. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause ulceration throughout the body. Mouth ulcers generally occur due to internal heat or a weakened immune system in the affected individual. If a patient frequently experiences mouth ulcers, it is advisable to visit a hospital to rule out other systemic diseases. Additionally, it is important to consider whether these could be related to a deficiency in certain vitamins, so patients are advised not to be overly anxious.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Symptoms of tertiary syphilis

Tertiary syphilis is the most severe stage of syphilis. The most common skin and mucosal damage in tertiary syphilis appears on the scalp, scapula, back, and the extensor sides of the limbs, where nodular syphilitic rashes can be observed, and gummatous swellings can also be seen on the lower legs. Apart from damaging the skin and mucous membranes, tertiary syphilis can also harm the cardiovascular and nervous systems. If the cardiovascular system is affected, it can cause problems in the aortic arch, leading to aortic valve insufficiency and syphilitic heart disease. If the nervous system is involved, it can cause neurosyphilis, manifesting as syphilitic meningitis, cerebrovascular syphilis, meningeal gumma, paralytic dementia, and more. In summary, once afflicted with tertiary syphilis, patients can exhibit a variety of clinical symptoms such as increased intracranial pressure, headaches, sensory abnormalities, ataxia, paralytic dementia, and localized brain compression, among other symptoms.

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What are the symptoms of tertiary syphilis?

Tertiary syphilis belongs to the latest stage of syphilis. If a patient develops tertiary syphilis, their symptoms are generally very severe, mainly involving the skin, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, and even the nervous system. In particular, when the nervous system is involved, symptoms such as drowsiness and confusion may occur. Cardiovascular involvement can lead to related cardiovascular symptoms, and if the musculoskeletal system is affected, symptoms generally appear in the bones.