- If not treated, the bacteria attack other parts of the body.
- It can attack the brain, heart, eyes, bones, liver, blood vessels, nerves, and joints.
- Blindness and brain damage can happen.
Syphilis Stages
Stage 3: Latent stage
- If a person doesn’t get treated, the infection will stay in his/her body, even though there are no symptoms. The infection is called “latent”.
- This “latent” stage can last up to 30 years.
Stage 2: Secondary stage
- If the syphilis infection is not treated, the person may develop a rash.
- The rash looks like rough, red or reddish-brown spots that typically don’t itch, on the palms of hands and bottoms of feet.
- A person may have rashes on other parts of the body or may have other symptoms like fever, swollen glands, or hair loss.
Stage 1: Primary stage
- Sores appear in the genital area (penis or vagina) or the mouth within ten days to 3 months after infection.
- The sores are usually firm, round, small, and painless.
- The sores should go away on their own, but bacteria stays in the body (without treatment).