Syphilis Symptoms: What You Need to Know

If you think you might have been exposed to syphilis, the first thing to do is check for symptoms. The infection shows up in stages, and each stage has its own tell‑tale signs. Spotting them early can save you a lot of trouble, so let’s break it down in plain language.

Early signs you shouldn’t ignore

The first stage, called primary syphilis, usually appears about three weeks after contact. You’ll get a small sore called a chancre where the bacteria entered your body – often on the genitals, anus, or mouth. The sore is painless, firm, and can heal on its own in a few weeks, which is why many people never notice it.

Right after the chancre disappears, you move into secondary syphilis. This stage brings skin rashes that look like reddish‑brown spots, sometimes covering the whole body or just the palms and soles. You might also feel feverish, have a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, or a headache. These symptoms can come and go for weeks or months, and they’re easy to mistake for something else.

Later stages and why they matter

If the infection isn’t treated, it can slide into a latent phase where you feel fine but the bacteria stay hidden in your body. This quiet period can last years. About 15‑30 % of untreated people eventually develop tertiary syphilis.

Tertiary syphilis hits organs and can cause serious problems: heart disease, nerve damage, vision loss, or gumma (soft growths) on the skin and bones. Symptoms at this point are often severe and harder to reverse.

Because the early signs are easy to miss, testing is the safest bet if you think you’ve been exposed. A simple blood test can spot the infection even when you feel fine. If you get a positive result, your doctor will prescribe penicillin or another antibiotic that clears the bacteria in most cases.

Don’t wait for the rash to spread or for pain to show up – early treatment stops the disease from moving to later stages and protects anyone else you might be close with. Plus, getting tested regularly if you have new partners keeps your health on track.

Bottom line: look out for painless sores, odd rashes on hands or feet, flu‑like feelings, and any unexplained skin changes. If anything feels off, grab a test and talk to a healthcare provider right away. Quick action means quicker recovery and fewer complications down the road.