Symptoms of tertiary syphilis

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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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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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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Can you still have children with third-stage syphilis?

Third-stage syphilis is the most severe stage of the disease, and it is not possible to have children if one has third-stage syphilis, because syphilis can be transmitted from mother to fetus. The infectivity is particularly strong during the third stage. If a child is conceived at this time, it could lead to stillbirth. Besides stillbirth, even if the child is born by chance, they may have abnormal development or be born with diseases. This is tremendously painful and tormenting for both the parent and child. Therefore, one cannot have children with third-stage syphilis.

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Which department should women go to for syphilis testing?

For female syphilis screening, one generally needs to visit the department of venereal diseases, where hospitals with such departments conduct syphilis tests. The test for syphilis involves a blood draw for the RPR syphilis virus test. Through this testing, one can determine whether they have contracted syphilis. If a syphilis infection is detected, it is essential to choose the appropriate medication based on the test results for targeted treatment. Generally, both AIDS and syphilis fall under the purview of the venereal disease department. Therefore, if you wish to undergo syphilis testing, you must visit the venereal disease department of a hospital for the relevant examinations. Typically, there is an incubation period, and if the results are completely negative after three months, it generally means there is no significant concern.

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Can third-stage syphilis still be cured?

Third-stage syphilis can still possibly be cured, but this varies from person to person and is not absolute. Usually, when syphilis develops to the third stage, it indicates a more severe infection and is considered late-stage. Additionally, third-stage syphilis is particularly prone to causing cardiovascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal damages, which are complications. Therefore, treating third-stage syphilis is much more challenging compared to the first and second stages. It is crucial to treat and diagnose it early.

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Is tertiary syphilis highly contagious?

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.