Syphilis history and symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases Main Page
	Syphilis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Syphilis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy Primary and Secondary Syphilis Latent Syphilis Tertiary Syphilis Neurosyphilis HIV-Infected Patients Pregnancy Management of Sexual Partners
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Syphilis history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Syphilis history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Syphilis history and symptoms
CDC on Syphilis history and symptoms
Syphilis history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Syphilis history and symptoms
Directions to Hospitals Treating Syphilis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Syphilis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S [2]Nate Michalak, B.A. Maha Jaffar Azhar, M.D.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The history and symptoms of syphilis depends on stage of disease. The hallmark of syphilis infection is painless chancre. A positive history of painless chancre on genitalia, and presence of risk factors such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, residence in highly prevalent area and previous history of sexually transmitted infections may be suggestive of syphilis infection. The most common symptoms of syphilis infection include painless chancre which progresses to ulcer with regional lymphadenopathy in primary syphilis. Secondary syphilis is characterized by rash and constitutional symptoms. Syphilis infection in tertiary syphilis can involve any organ system, hence named the "Great Imitator".^[1]^[2]^[3]

History and symptoms[edit | edit source]

The history and symptoms of syphilis according to the stage of disease are described below:^[1]^[2]^[3]


Stage of syphilis	History and symptoms
Primary syphilis	History of risk factors (MSM, unprotected sex, multiple sex partners) Onset within 3 weeks of contact Chancre: Single painless firm raised papule Rapidly progresses to an ulcerated lesion Usually located on the glans penis, cervix, labia, anal canal, rectum or oral cavity Regional lymphadenopathy Heals spontaneously within 4-6 weeks; however, regional lymphadenopathy may persist for longer periods
Secondary syphilis	Develops 6-8 weeks after the appearance of primary chancre Generalized systemic symptoms such as malaise, fatigue, headache and fever may be present Skin eruptions may be subtle and asymptomatic Classic: Non-pruritic bilateral symmetrical mucocutaneous rash Non-tender regional lymphadenopathy Condylomata lata Patchy alopecia
Latent syphilis	Previous history of chancre or rash Asymptomatic
Tertiary syphilis	Clinical manifestation of this stage depends on organ system involved: Neurosyphilis Altered mental status Dementia Focal neurodeficit affecting hearing and vision Cardiovascular syphilis Aortic Regurgitation Dyspnea on exertion Orthopnea Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea Palpitations (due to compensatory tachycardia) Chest pain (if left ventricular end diastolic pressure compromises coronary perfusion) Congestive heart failure Dyspnea on ordinary exertion Fainting Fatigue Hemoptysis or frothy sputum Nocturia or urination during the night Nocturnal cough Orthopnea or sleeping on pillows Palpitations or extra heart beats Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea Shortness of breath Gummatous lesions Presents with any organ system involved. Nodular papular lesions in case of cutaneous gumma.

References[edit | edit source]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Singh AE, Romanowski B (1999). "Syphilis: review with emphasis on clinical, epidemiologic, and some biologic features". Clin Microbiol Rev. 12 (2): 187–209. PMC 88914. PMID 10194456.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Carlson JA, Dabiri G, Cribier B, Sell S (2011). "The immunopathobiology of syphilis: the manifestations and course of syphilis are determined by the level of delayed-type hypersensitivity". Am J Dermatopathol. 33 (5): 433–60. doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181e8b587. PMC 3690623. PMID 21694502.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Wöhrl S, Geusau A (2007). "Clinical update: syphilis in adults". Lancet. 369 (9577): 1912–4. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60895-2. PMID 17560432.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[pmid10194456-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Singh AE, Romanowski B (1999). "Syphilis: review with emphasis on clinical, epidemiologic, and some biologic features". Clin Microbiol Rev. 12 (2): 187–209. PMC 88914. PMID 10194456.

[pmid21694502-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Carlson JA, Dabiri G, Cribier B, Sell S (2011). "The immunopathobiology of syphilis: the manifestations and course of syphilis are determined by the level of delayed-type hypersensitivity". Am J Dermatopathol. 33 (5): 433–60. doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181e8b587. PMC 3690623. PMID 21694502.

[pmid17560432-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Wöhrl S, Geusau A (2007). "Clinical update: syphilis in adults". Lancet. 369 (9577): 1912–4. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60895-2. PMID 17560432.

[1]

[2]

[3]

Sexually transmitted diseases Main Page

Syphilis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Syphilis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

X Ray

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy Primary and Secondary Syphilis Latent Syphilis Tertiary Syphilis Neurosyphilis HIV-Infected Patients Pregnancy Management of Sexual Partners

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Syphilis history and symptoms On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Syphilis history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Syphilis history and symptoms

CDC on Syphilis history and symptoms

Syphilis history and symptoms in the news

Blogs on Syphilis history and symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Syphilis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Syphilis history and symptoms