According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this sexually transmitted diseases – Syphilis has four stages: stage 1, stage 2, latent stage and late stage. Each stage has different signs and symptoms.

1. Syphilis stage 1

The first sign of syphilis is a small sore, called a syphilis chancre. This is where the bacteria that cause syphilis enter the body.

The chancre is round or oval in shape, without high ridges, bright red flesh, hard background, painless squeeze. Most patients only have one chancre, but more than one can be present.

The chancre is usually located on the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, scrotum, Syphilis can be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth, lips or tongue in subjects who have oral sex (oral sex). They can also hide deep in the vagina, under the foreskin, inside the rectum, and elsewhere.

In addition to syphilis, during this period, the patient often has swollen lymph nodes accompanied by chancres. The lymph nodes appear after about 1 week and are painless and clustered in the groin area. It is very easy for people to mistake syphilis for ingrown hairs, pimples, or harmless bumps. They are painless and can be hidden in hidden places, making them difficult or undetectable for the patient. They usually develop about 3 weeks to 3 months after a person has an infection. The stretch marks last about 3 to 6 weeks and then go away on their own. However, if the patient is not detected and treated, the stage of syphilis will progress to stage 2.

2. Syphilis stage 2

Within a few weeks after the initial scar heals, a person may develop a rash on the palms, soles, or other body parts. This rash is usually not itchy and may be accompanied by blister-like bumps in the mouth or genital area.

Patients also feel sick and have mild flu-like symptoms such as low-grade fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen glands, headache, muscle aches, weight loss or hair loss.

Symptoms of this second stage of syphilis usually last 2 to 6 weeks. After that, they may recur repeatedly and disappear in about 1 year. Symptoms are similar to other common diseases, so it is difficult for patients to realize they have syphilis.

If the person is not treated, the infection of this sexually transmitted disease will continue to develop and the disease can progress to a dangerous stage. That’s why it’s so important to conduct regular screening and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

3. Latent syphilis stage

The latent stage of syphilis has no obvious signs or symptoms. Without treatment, the disease will continue to linger in the body for many years.

People who have syphilis for a long time face serious health problems. Therefore, even if there are no symptoms, the disease still needs to be treated.

4. Stage 3 (late stage) syphilis

A research from Mayo Clinic, About 15% to 30% of people infected with syphilis, if left untreated, will develop late-stage complications. At this stage, the disease can cause damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints, even leading to death.

Although syphilis is divided into four stages, it is not always so obvious. The stages of syphilis may overlap, and symptoms may not appear sequentially. At any stage, it is possible for syphilis to spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, nervous system, eyes or ears, and cause serious complications.

However, late-stage syphilis lesions cannot be changed or healed. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to proactively capture information about the stages of syphilis, prevent infection, have regular health check-ups and go to the doctor as soon as you recognize the abnormal manifestations of the body. body.