Can third-stage syphilis be cured?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 22, 2024

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Third-stage syphilis can potentially be fatal, but this is not absolute. With proper and timely treatment, it can gradually improve. Third-stage syphilis is the most severe and latest stage of the disease, also known as late-stage syphilis. This stage often affects our skin, bones, cardiovascular system, and even the nervous system. When these systems are affected, corresponding complications can arise. If left untreated, late-stage complications can lead to death. However, if treated early, there is a possibility of cure over time.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie

Obstetrics

1min 1sec

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Does the eugenic five-item check include syphilis?

Does the eugenic check for syphilis? Eugenic examination checks for toxoplasmosis, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and other mycoplasma, chlamydia, or parvovirus infections. These are generally diseases transmitted through the respiratory tract, and if infection occurs, they mainly affect the development of the fetus's brain or eyes, as well as the development of the liver and other internal organs. The test for syphilis, which is a type of sexually transmitted disease, belongs to infectious diseases. The eugenic check does not necessarily concern infectious diseases; it can be contracted through respiratory infection or by consuming contaminated food. However, syphilis is very specific in its transmission, which occurs through blood, mother-to-child transmission, or sexual contact. These two are not the same concept.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan

Dermatology

55sec

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What are the symptoms of syphilitic disease?

The symptoms of syphilitic disease are diverse, and syphilis is divided into early syphilis and late syphilis. In the early stages of syphilis, during the primary phase, it usually presents as a hard chancre on the genital area, without obvious pain. In secondary syphilis, it manifests as polymorphic roseola, usually appearing as patches of varying sizes on the trunk, covered with scales, with no significant itching. In tertiary or late syphilis, there can be damage to multiple systems including bones and nerves. Once syphilis is diagnosed, it is essential to treat it early. Early treatment generally leads to good outcomes, with most people recovering. If it progresses to late stages, treatment outcomes are relatively poor. The first choice of treatment for syphilis is long-acting penicillin.

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Written by Luo Hong

Dermatology Department

52sec

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Syphilis IgM negative represents what?

Syphilis IgM negative, which is primarily screened using the ELISA method. Generally, a negative IgM can temporarily rule out syphilis. If still uncertain, further confirmatory syphilis tests can be conducted, such as TPPA (Treponema Pallidum Particle Agglutination) or TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination). Usually, syphilis can be temporarily dismissed if IgM is negative. However, if symptoms of a primary chancre are present, such as genital ulcers, an early Syphilis IgM might be negative. In such cases where symptoms are clear but IgM is negative, it is typically advised to retest after one month. If the result turns positive, a confirmatory test should be performed to diagnose and treat syphilis.

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Written by Qu Jing

Dermatology

1min 49sec

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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 Zhang Jian Bo

Dermatology

58sec

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What are the early symptoms of syphilis?

Syphilis is divided into overt and latent syphilis. Latent syphilis, regardless of whether it is early or late stage, shows no symptoms at all and can only be confirmed by blood testing. The symptoms in the early stage are mainly those of overt syphilis, primarily manifestations of primary syphilis. The stages of primary, secondary, and tertiary syphilis begin with the appearance of a lesion at the site of infection, typically about 0.5 to 1 centimeter in diameter, with a hard, dark red nodule that feels like cartilage. The surface may have ulcers; it may be painless, or there may be no pain at all. Subsequently, nearby lymph nodes may become enlarged. This swelling of the lymph nodes is characterized by being painless, usually unilateral, with no redness or rupture. These are the clear symptoms of overt primary syphilis. If treated properly at this stage, recovery is generally rapid.