Tertiary syphilis is a severe illness that develops 1030 years after the initial infection.
The disease damages many different internal organs.
This article will discuss what syphilis is and how it is transmitted.
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It will focus on the symptoms of tertiary syphilis and will go into detail regarding the affected organ systems.
Finally, the article will discuss treatment and how you’re free to reduce your risk of infection.
Jon Feingersh Photography Inc / Getty Images
What Is Tertiary Syphilis?
There are four stages of infection with syphilis.
However, progression typically occurs over decades.
A different set of symptoms defines each stage of syphilis.
After acquiring the infection, the first set of symptoms begins in a few weeks.
The second stage of syphilis symptoms starts a few months later.
Advanced syphilis may not appear until decades later.
People who have not been treated for syphilis develop tertiary syphilis.
However, infection rates are on the rise.
In 2020, there were nearly 135,000 new syphilis cases.
How Is Syphilis Transmitted?
Syphilis isnottransmitted through:
Syphilis is most often transmitted during the primary and secondary stages of the illness.
One of the hallmarks of this reddish-brown rash is that it involves the palms and soles of the feet.
Most other rashes do not affect the palms and soles of the feet.
These early dermatologic symptoms typically do not begin until several weeks or months after the initial infection.
Other secondary stage symptoms include:
Because tertiary syphilis is rare, it can be harder to spot.
The infection affects multiple organ systems and can be fatal.
On internal organs, gummas can be mistaken for a different punch in of mass lesion like cancer.
Diagnosis
Testing for syphilis occurs through ablood test.
There are two types of tests: nontreponemal and treponemal.
Both tests need to be performed to confirm a diagnosis.
Nontreponemal tests include:
These tests are generally cheap and are used for syphilis screening.
They are also easy to use.
Treponemal tests include:
These tests often confirm a diagnosis of syphilis.
Treatment
Thetreatment of choicefor primary and secondary syphilis ispenicillin Gbenzathine injected into a muscle (intramuscularly).
It is given at a higher dose than used for other infections like strep throat.
This dose also applies to pregnant people.
The medication is delivered in a single dose.
When the antibiotic is given in this way, it stays in the body for up to 30 days.
The recommendation is to administer the higher dose every four hours intravenously.
Babies born to a person with syphilis should also receive penicillin.
It may be given intravenously or by injection.
Mortality Rates for Syphilis
Since the advent of penicillin, deaths from syphilis are dramatically reduced.
Finally, avoid contact with sores found in the genital and rectal areas.
Using a condom during sex is essential to reduce the risk of reinfection.
All stages of syphilis are treated with penicillin.
Advanced syphilis can be cured with high doses of the medicine.
Still, the effects on organ systems are not reversible.
A Word From Verywell
Syphilis cases are rising again, and it can be a debilitating infection.
Its important to stay alert for symptoms.
Get tested regularly for STIs, particularly if you have more than one partner.
However, its not something to take lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Syphilis produces a few different skin findings that depend on the stage of illness.
Primary syphilis presents with a painless ulcer in the genital area.
It can appear on the palms and soles of the feet.
However, the organ damage sustained from the infection is typically not reversible.
The time it takes for syphilis to go away entirely depends on the stage of the illness.
There are no set criteria that help establish when a person knows that a syphilis infection is completely cured.
Yes, syphilis can cause neurological effects.
Neurosyphilis is often associated with personality changes, hallucinations, and forgetfulness.
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