How long does it take to cure third-stage syphilis?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 04, 2024

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Third-stage syphilis is the most severe stage of the disease. It generally damages the nervous system and cardiovascular system of the human body, thus having a significant impact. There is no definite timeline for the cure of third-stage syphilis. The treatment of third-stage syphilis primarily involves controlling the condition with medication; there is still no specific method that can completely cure it thoroughly. Therefore, it is necessary to take medication for a long period. Currently, for treating third-stage syphilis, procaine penicillin is generally chosen for patients. In fact, procaine penicillin mainly helps effectively control the syphilis spirochete.

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Written by Luo Hong

Dermatology Department

52sec

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Can syphilis antibodies be detected during the hard chancre stage?

During the hard chancre phase of syphilis, a portion of cases can test positive for Treponema pallidum, although some tests may return negative results. In such cases, it is advisable to retest after one month. The earliest detectable antibodies for Treponema pallidum are usually of two types: a Treponema pallidum-specific antibody, which appears earlier than the non-specific antibodies. There are tests for non-specific antibodies, commonly referred to as RPR or TRUST, which are standard practices in major hospitals. Therefore, in early-stage syphilis or primary syphilis with hard chancre, it is possible to find Treponema pallidum-specific antibodies positive, RPR or TRUST negative, or both negative. If syphilis is strongly suspected in such cases, a retest is recommended after one month.

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Written by Cui Lin Jing

Dermatology

1min 4sec

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What are the symptoms of tertiary syphilis?

Tertiary syphilis mainly occurs two to three years, or even five to ten years or longer, after infection. The primary skin manifestations are gummas, which often occur on the extensor side of the lower legs, and can present as ulcerations, erosions, nodules, and hyperplasia. It may also involve bones, joints, the heart, and blood vessels. The main manifestations include aortitis, aortic valve insufficiency, and aortic aneurysms. When the nervous system is involved, it can present as spinal tuberculosis and general paralysis, which are symptoms of paralytic dementia. The diagnosis of tertiary syphilis requires serological tests and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The treatment involves primarily penicillin and benzathine penicillin, with erythromycin or tetracycline as alternatives for patients allergic to penicillin, and requires a longer course of treatment.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

1min 18sec

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Early symptoms of syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, with the disease course within two years referred to as early syphilis. Not all infected individuals display symptoms; asymptomatic syphilis is also known as latent syphilis. Symptomatic early syphilis primarily manifests as either primary or secondary syphilis. The main symptom of primary syphilis is a chancre, typically occurring as a clear-bordered ulcer in the genital area. It is flesh-colored and neither painful nor itchy. Several weeks after the chancre heals, secondary syphilis can develop, characterized by a rash that may resemble other skin conditions. Common manifestations include macules, papular macules, copper-red papules on hands and feet, flat condyloma, and syphilitic alopecia. Individuals who suspect they may have been exposed to syphilis should visit a hospital for a blood test to detect syphilis antibodies. Antibodies can usually be detected four weeks after infection, and a negative result three months later can rule out syphilis.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

41sec

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Can tertiary syphilis be breastfed?

Syphilis is a common infectious disease caused by the syphilis spirochete, with tertiary syphilis being the most severe and most infectious stage. Therefore, breastfeeding is not allowed if one has tertiary syphilis, as breastfeeding is one of the transmission routes of syphilis. If breastfeeding occurs, syphilis can potentially be transmitted to the child through the breast milk. The breast milk of syphilis patients contains syphilis spirochetes, and if a syphilis patient breastfeeds a child, it essentially means transmitting this pathogen to the newborn through the milk. Thus, syphilis patients are prohibited from breastfeeding.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

30sec

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Can tertiary syphilis be contagious?

Third-stage syphilis is contagious. Clinically progressing to third-stage syphilis indicates a more serious condition, and indeed, third-stage syphilis is considered late-stage. Although it is less contagious compared to first and second-stage syphilis because the titer decreases as it progresses to this stage, it remains infectious. This means it is still possible to transmit to others. Therefore, patients with third-stage syphilis should receive timely treatment.