Symptoms of syphilis can be hard to diagnose since they go away without treatment. Syphilis testing is the only way to diagnose the STD.
Primary & Secondary Symptoms of Syphilis
The first syphilis symptom to appear is a single, painless raised sore on the genitals. This symptom of syphilis appears about three weeks after exposure and will self-resolve. Second-stage syphilis symptoms include a reddish, brown rash on the hands and feet. This syphilis symptom will also go away without treatment.
Late-Stage Symptoms of Syphilis Are More Serious
Syphilis symptoms from the early stages will go away eventually, but the disease is still active in the body. Anywhere from two to 30 years after infection, syphilis symptoms will reappear as problems with the heart, brain, bones or nerves. Damage done to the organs from syphilis is irreversible.
When to Take a Syphilis Test
Syphilis testing should be administered if any symptoms are present, such as a genital sore or rash. A syphilis test should also be included with routine STD testing, even when syphilis symptoms are absent. Syphilis testing is crucial, since untreated syphilis can lead to blindness, paralysis, dementia and death. That's why its imperative to get a Syphilis Test.
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Detecting Syphilis Symptoms
Though not the most widespread STD, syphilis has unfortunately been making a comeback in recent years. Syphilis symptoms aren’t always easy to spot, but knowing what to look for can help you avoid the disease or seek treatment if need be. And the good news about syphilis is that when it’s caught early on, it can be cured completely.
Common Syphilis Symptoms: The Early Stage
The most common early symptoms of syphilis are sores in the area where the disease was transmitted, typically the genitals or mouth. Sores produced by syphilis are usually small, firm, and painless, and generally, they will heal on their own within three to six weeks. Another early symptom of syphilis is swollen lymph nodes that accompany the sores.
Syphilis Symptoms: The Secondary Stage
When syphilis isn’t treated right away, it can progress to its secondary stage, at which point new syphilis symptoms may arise. One common syphilis symptom in this stage is a bodily rash that often appears in the form of rough, red or brown spots on the hands and feet. Other syphilis symptoms that may crop up during this time include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, weight loss, and headaches.
Syphilis Symptoms: The Latent Stage
During this stage of the disease, symptoms of syphilis will usually remain dormant. The latent stage of syphilis can last upwards of 10 years before progressing to the final stage.
Syphilis Symptoms: The Final Stage
Symptoms of syphilis during the final stage can unfortunately be life-threatening. Common final stage syphilis symptoms include heart and nerve damage, mental illness, and blindness. While these syphilis symptoms are unquestionably scary, by taking action when early syphilis symptoms pop up and being vigilant about STD testing, you can avoid ever reaching this point even if you are infected.
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“I recently developed a single genital sore after having unprotected sex. I was concerned I had developed symptoms of syphilis, so I took a syphilis test with getSTDtested.com right away, and I’m glad I did.”
