Second stage:



If the condition is left untreated or if the treatment fails to eradicate the bacteria completely, syphilis enters the second stage called secondary phase. This phase normally occurs between three weeks to three months after the first stage. In the second stage, the patient develops rashes mostly on the palms or soles. These rashes, that look red or reddish brown, may be subtle and may go unnoticed or may be taken as something else. These rashes may not only form on palms and soles but anywhere on the body. The rashes may be accompanied by other symptoms such as red and raw patches in genital area, mouth, throat, anus, etc. Fever, ache in joints, muscles pains, etc., may be present in the second phase. If you notice these signs, consult with your doctor immediately. Even if you don't get treated for syphilis in the second stage, the symptoms of the second stage will resolve, but the untreated bacteria will remain in your body in a latent state. This can cause the latent stage of syphilis, which is very dangerous.

Latent Stage:

The signs of the tertiary stage develop any time within three to ten years of the initial contact with syphilis. This stage causes widespread damage to the body. The organs involved include liver, heart, eyes, bones, joints, blood vessels and brain. The internal damage may not show for a few years. After some years, the patient may notice paralysis, numbness, dementia and difficulty in muscle coordination. If no steps are taken to treat, the final result may be death.

Syphilis is treated with penicillin injections at all the stages. If you are sensitive to penicillin, you should inform your doctor. Other antibiotics may be used in place of penicillin. Pregnant women cannot be treated with any antibiotic other than penicillin. So the doctor first desensitizes them to penicillin and then treats with penicillin. During the first stage, a single injection of penicillin may clear the infection. Regular check-up must be done in consultation with your doctor to know if the infection is totally eliminated. Don't indulge in any sexual activity if you have active sores or rashes. Inform all your partners, once it is confirmed that you have syphilis, so that they can undergo tests and treatment if required. Consult your doctor for more details.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.