La syphilis has 3 stages as well as a latency period. The primary, secondary and early latent stages of syphilis are considered infectious. Each stadium has symptoms different.

Primary stage

Symptoms first appear 3 to 90 days after infection, but usually 3 weeks.

• At first, the infection takes on the appearance of a red button ;
• Then the bacteria multiply and eventually create one or more painless ulcers at the site of infection, usually in the genital, anal or throat area. This ulcer is called a syphilitic chancre. It can be visible on the penis, but easily hidden in the vagina or anus, especially since it is painless. Most infected people develop only one chancre, but some develop more than one;

• The sore eventually resolves on its own within 1 to 2 months. If it has not been treated, however, this does not mean that the infection is cured.

Secondary stage

When untreated, syphilis progresses. 2 to 10 weeks after the onset of ulcers, the following symptoms occur:

• Fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain;
• Hair loss (alopecia);
• Redness and rashes on the mucous membranes and skin, including on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet;
• Inflammation of ganglia;
• Inflammation of the uvea (uveitis), the blood supply to the eye, or the retina (retinitis).

These symptoms may go away on their own, but it does not mean that the infection is cured. They can also appear and reappear intermittently, for months or even years.

Latency period

After about 2 years, the syphilis enters a state of latency, a period when no symptoms appear. However, the infection can still develop. This period can last from 1 year to 30 years.

Tertiary stage

If left untreated, 15% to 30% of people infected with syphilis suffer from very serious symptoms which in some cases may even lead to mort :

• Cardiovascular syphilis (inflammation of the aorta, aneurysm or aortic stenosis, etc.);
• Neurological syphilis (stroke, meningitis, deafness, visual disturbances, headache, dizziness, change in personality, dementia, etc.);
• Congenital syphilis. Treponema is transmitted from the infected mother through the placenta and will lead to miscarriages, neonatal deaths. Most affected newborns will not have any symptoms at birth, but they will appear within 3 to 4 months;
• Service : destruction of tissues of any organ.