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Alternative names Return to top
Secondary syphilisDefinition Return to top
Secondary syphilis is the second stage of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis. This stage is the most contagious of all stages and is characterized by the spread of the bacteria which causes syphilis throughout the body.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has three main stages: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, and tertiary syphilis.
Approximately one-third of untreated individuals with primary syphilis will progress to the second stage: secondary syphilis. This usually occurs at about 2 to 8 weeks after the appearance of the original painless sore (chancre) and in some cases the chancre may still be present.
In secondary syphilis, the bacteria have spread in the bloodstream and have reached their highest numbers. The most common symptoms include skin rash, which can be varied in appearance, yet frequently involves the palms and soles, in addition to lesions in the mouth, vagina or penis, called mucous patches. Other lesions that can appear are moist, warty patches on the genitalia or skin folds called condylomata lata.
During secondary syphilis, additional symptoms such as fever, malaise, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes may also be noted. This stage is the most contagious stage of syphilis. While it usually resolves within weeks, in some cases it may last up to a year.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
The diagnosis of secondary syphilis is usually based on blood tests. An initial screening is done with the non-treponemal tests such as VDRL or RPR. If these are positive, the diagnosis is confirmed by another blood test for a specific antibody - the FTA-ABS fluorescent treponemal antibody test.
In addition to blood tests, if skin or mucous membrane lesions are present, the organism which causes syphilis may be identified on darkfield microscopic examination.
Treatment Return to top
The mainstay of treatment of secondary syphilis is antibiotic therapy. The antibiotic of choice is penicillin (which is usually given by injection once a week for three weeks). In individuals allergic to penicillin, doxycycline may be used for a total of two weeks.
After antibiotic treatment, follow-up blood tests (RPR) should be done at 3 and 6 months (and later if needed) to assess whether treatment was effective, as treatment may need to be repeated or additional evaluation performed.
In some individuals, a Jarish-Herxheimer reaction may occur several hours following treatment of secondary syphilis. This is characterized by fevers, chills, malaise, joint and muscle aches, and usually lasts 24 hours.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Secondary syphilis can be completely cured if diagnosed early and treated effectively. Without treatment, up to one-third of patients will develop late complications of syphilis.Complications Return to top
The complications of syphilis are related to the development of the syndromes associated with tertiary syphilis:
In addition, untreated secondary syphilis during pregnancy may result in transmission to the fetus (congenital syphilis).
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Notify your provider if you have symptoms suggestive of syphilis. Also, if you have recently changed sexual partners, have multiple sexual partners or have been diagnosed with any other sexually transmitted diseases, you should be screened for syphilis even if you don't have any symptoms.Prevention Return to top
Safer sexual practices and consistent condom use are important measures in the prevention of syphilis. In addition, early diagnosis and treatment is needed to prevent ongoing transmission of this disease, as is screening during any evaluation for a sexually transmitted disease. Update Date: 8/11/2003 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |