How syphilis looks like?

If you’re wondering what syphilis looks like, congratulations! You’ve found the right article. In this comprehensive visual guide, we’ll take a closer look at the symptoms and signs of syphilis so that you can identify it if it ever comes your way. Don’t worry; we promise to keep things light-hearted and funny because there’s nothing better than laughter to heal all wounds (even those caused by Treponema pallidum, the bacterium responsible for syphilis).

What is Syphilis?

Before we dive into how syphilis looks like, let’s understand what it actually is. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Treponema pallidum, a spirochete bacterium that spreads through direct contact with open sores or rashes on an infected person’s skin or mucous membrane.

Why Should You Care About Syphilis?

Well, first and foremost, nobody wants an STI (unless you’re into that sort of thing). But more importantly, untreated syphilis can lead to serious health complications such as damage to vital organs like the brain, heart and nervous system.

Now that we’ve laid down some groundwork let’s move on to how this awful disease manifests itself.

Primary Stage: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

The Chancre

The primary stage of syphilis typically begins with one visible symptom: a chancre, which develops at the site where the bacteria entered the body – usually around your genitals or mouth area. This small painless sore might not cause discomfort but will have irregular edges and be solid in consistency. It could also appear as multiple chancres in different locations.

A gift from someone who has no idea they have gifted you anything at all. Don’t worry; there’s no bow, and it comes free of wrapping paper.

The Lymph Nodes

As the bacteria spreads throughout your system after infecting you, you might feel swollen lymph nodes in your groin area. This is a sign that your immune system is doing its best to fight off the infection. Congratulations! A pity it doesn’t always win against syphilis infections

Secondary Stage: Just When You Think It’s Over…

After about 4-10 weeks of being infected with syphilis (if left untreated), you may show some new symptoms:

Rash Galore!

Are you ready for more uninvited guests? A highly contagious rash now decides to appear all over the body except hands and soles. They aren’t sore at first but will become visible on palms and inside mouth when in advance stages.

It won’t be hard to spot this symptom because rashes are one thing we notice pretty quickly (even without forehead wrinkles.) But then again, congratulations, this party trick lasts anywhere from two-four months.

Flu-like Symptoms

In addition to rash symptoms, others like fever-ish feeling, muscle cramps which come up frequently just as when you get that background flu everyone seems to pass around like hot cake.

Latent Stage – The Quiet Before the Storm

This stage usually comes a year or later if left untreated.

During this stage, these three things happen:
You don’t have any visible signs of syphilis
Your primary & secondary stage manifestations disappear
Yet during such periods under latent phase pregnancy can harbor unborn babies’ damaging risks.

Now let’s move on…or should I say Fast-forward..Time flies anyway

Tertiary/Late Syphilis – Here Comes Trouble… ^1

When not treated within 15 years since exposure,
your immune condition slowly becomes weaker;
so weak it can no longer fight off an infection.

The impact of untreated syphilis on your internal organs is the hallmark of this stage.

Syphilitic Gumma

Gummas, which are destructive growths showing up as skin sores or galls, can damage cartilage all through the body positively affecting organs such as liver; causing scarring and negatively impacting arteries and heart functions.

This phase causes significant limitations to bodily functions, thoughts clarity diminution rendering several debilitating health complications able-bodied persons may struggle within their life time.

Congenital Syphilis – The Hidden Menace

Finally…

There’s another kind of syphilis that doesn’t manifest until after birth via mother-infant transmission: Congenital syphilis

In infants/mothers : Symptoms include rash-like in shape by having blistered bubbly consistency post-birth + subsequent symptoms similar to primary/secondary stage forming long term disabilities.

In summary, even with any brief symmetrical transient period symptoms must be reported promptly for cure/safety needs. More importantly (fun fact) avoid getting contracted at all costs because #STIsarenotawards

Now you know what syphilis looks like but remember awareness without proper action has no value. Protect yourself!