Is tertiary syphilis highly contagious?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on December 06, 2024

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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.

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Written by Li Chang Yue

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Is there a high possibility of syphilis with enlarged inguinal lymph nodes?

Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes generally suggest the possibility of syphilis, but such enlargement caused by syphilis commonly appears in the secondary or tertiary stages of the disease. In the early primary stage of syphilis, it is rare to see swollen inguinal lymph nodes; the symptoms are mostly seen on the external genitals, including soft and hard chancres. As syphilis progresses, it may gradually lead to swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes, including other superficial lymph nodes. However, enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes alone cannot conclusively determine that the cause is syphilis. Other conditions such as bacterial lymphadenitis, lymph node tuberculosis, or lymphoma could also cause swollen inguinal lymph nodes. Therefore, to diagnose whether it is caused by syphilis, it is crucial to consider the results of syphilis serological tests and specific pathological puncture findings.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

39sec

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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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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

1min 12sec

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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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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

37sec

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Can tertiary syphilis be contagious?

Third-stage syphilis is contagious. Although the titers in third-stage syphilis might be lower than those in the first and second stages, it still has the ability to infect others. Moreover, third-stage syphilis can easily lead to many complications, affecting other tissues and organs of the body. Therefore, third-stage syphilis is very serious. Once third-stage syphilis occurs, one must be particularly vigilant, seek timely treatment in a reputable hospital early, enhance their immunity, and avoid having a history of unprotected sexual activity.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong

Infectious Diseases

47sec

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What are the symptoms of AIDS and syphilis?

AIDS and syphilis infections are both long-term processes. For example, a patient with primary syphilis mainly presents with a hard chancre. This can occur at locations such as the corona of the glans penis, the urinary meatus of the foreskin, the labia, the cervix, and also can be seen on the tongue, lips, breasts, and other places. At these locations, a hard chancre appears, which is painless and itchless, and presents as a round or oval, well-demarcated ulcer. The symptoms of AIDS are primarily seen in the early stages of the disease, and include fever, vomiting, fatigue, itchy skin, nodules, joint pain, and other symptoms of decreased immune function.