{"id":8,"date":"2023-09-11T13:29:38","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T13:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/syphilis\/?page_id=8"},"modified":"2024-08-28T17:31:18","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T17:31:18","slug":"signs-and-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/syphilis\/signs-and-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs and Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Know Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis<\/h3>\n
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How quickly do symptoms appear after infection?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The average time from exposure and the start of the first symptom is 21 days. However, this can range from 10 to 90 days.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of syphilis?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are four stages of syphilis. Each stage has different signs and symptoms that can look like other health conditions. Syphilis has been called \u201cthe great imitator\u201d because of this.<\/span> Testing for syphilis <\/span>is<\/span> the only <\/span>sure <\/span>way to diagnose<\/span> this disease.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Primary Stage<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

During this first stage of syphilis you may notice one or more <\/span>sores <\/span><\/b>(called chancre). The sore is the location where syphilis enters your body. These sores usually occur in or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or inside of the mouth. The sore(s) are <\/span>painless, round<\/span><\/b> and usually (but not always) <\/span>firm<\/span><\/b> to the touch. Because the sore is painless, you may not notice it.\u00a0 The sores last 3 to 6 weeks and heal without treatment. Even after the sore goes away, you must receive treatment<\/strong> to stop your infection from moving to the next (secondary) stage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does the primary (first) stage
\nof syphilis look like in the primary stage?\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Secondary Stage<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

During this stage you may have skin rashes on one or more areas of your body. The <\/span>rash<\/span><\/b> can be on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet and look <\/span>rough, red or reddish-brown<\/span><\/b>. The rash can show up while your primary sore is healing or several weeks after it has healed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The rash usually won\u2019t itch and it can be so faint that it\u2019s hard to notice.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may also have other symptoms:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n