It is important to note, however, that a person with syphilis may not always be aware of their infection, and it is common for a patient to be asymptomatic. Not all stages of syphilis have the same symptoms, and some have none at all. The four stages of syphilis, as well as their distinct ways of expressing themselves, are as follows:
●The first stage
●Secondary level
●Stage of dormancy
●Tertiary level
Syphilis in its various stages
The primary stage is distinguished by the appearance of a single "chancre," a circular lesion at the site of the initial infection. It takes three to four weeks on average from exposure to the development of this ulcer. It is most commonly found on the lips or mouth, anus, penis, or vagina, but it can appear anywhere on the skin.
According to published research, seeing multiple chancres is uncommon but more likely if a person has the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
A chancre is usually painless and may go unnoticed if it appears in an area that is difficult to access or see, such as the anus or vagina. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they typically heal in three to six weeks, regardless of treatment. Anyone who does not notice their syphilitic chancre will almost certainly progress to the secondary stage of the disease.
Secondary syphilis stage
While the primary stage is frequently overlooked, the secondary stage is much more difficult to overlook. Syphilis has progressed to "bacteremia," or a bloodstream infection.
According to Dana Dunne, M.D., M.H.S., an associate professor of medicine, infectious diseases, at Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut and the founding and core faculty member for the Yale Primary Care HIV Training Track, some people with syphilis may feel or notice the chancres more than others.
"For example, if your primary lesion is in the cervix or anal area, because these ulcers are typically painless, people may miss this primary stage," Dunne explained. "And it will heal and vanish without their knowledge." So, if patients recognize any stage of the illness, it's usually the secondary stage because the rash and lymph node swelling are more visible."
A fever and a widespread maculopapular rash are the two most common symptoms of secondary-stage syphilis. Typically, the rash appears as red dots or bumps on the torso, palms, and feet. Gray warts known as "condylomata lata" may also appear in the genital or anal regions.
Vasculitis is a complication of secondary-stage syphilis. This is an inflammation of the blood vessels caused by an immune response to the syphilitic bacteria in the bloodstream.
Although uncommon, this can cause inflammation of the eyes, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Only about 10% of patients with secondary-stage syphilis experience such severe complications.
Secondary-stage symptoms, like primary-stage symptoms, will likely fade after three to six weeks. The underlying syphilitic bacteria in the bloodstream, on the other hand, will remain in the system and enter a dormant stage.
Syphilis at the latent and tertiary stages
Following the secondary stage, the bacteria will lie dormant in your body during the latent stage. There may be an occasional "flare-up" of secondary-stage symptoms, which can last for up to two years, but there may be little other evidence of syphilis. However, if treatment is not initiated at this point, syphilis will quietly persist in the system, with a 35% chance of progressing to the tertiary stage within five to 20 years.
Syphilis' tertiary stage can result in disability, irreversible organ damage, and death.
How do you get tested for syphilis?
"Testing for syphilis may vary depending on where you seek care, but it generally involves a blood test," Dunne explained. "Some clinics have access to rapid syphilis testing, which can provide you with results in 15 to 20 minutes." However, most have a one- to two-day turnaround time because the lab must run a series of confirmatory tests on the blood to provide the practicing clinician with enough information to make an accurate diagnosis."
She went on to say that this test is widely available, and that seeing a provider with whom you have established care is always preferable. If this isn't possible, good sexual health expertise can be found at Planned Parenthood clinics, city and state-run STI clinics, and LGBTQIA+ healthcare clinics.
"Whatever healthcare venue a patient seeks out, it is strongly recommended that information about sexual activity be shared, along with any other information that may be unique, such as how much you travel, occupational exposures, and so on," Dunne added. "Not all healthcare providers are equally comfortable obtaining a sexual history from patients, and, especially if the symptom is something that does not scream STI—like a rash, hair loss, or blurry vision—they may not even consider syphilis or other STIs in the list of possibilities, let alone test for it."
https://www.yicare-medical.com/rapid-test/infectious-disease-tests/syphilis-rapid-test-device.html