As many STDs, syphilis might present no symptoms. And when any signs are shown, they might go unnoticed or seen as trivial. As a rule, syphilis development includes three stages with particular symptoms:
- chancre: at this stage a lesion presents with no pain accompanying. Such growth may disappear on its own with no medication used.
- secondary syphilis: rashes in patches that primarily show on hands and feet. These rashes may go away too.
- third stage (tertiary) syphilis: permanent damage may be inflicted, including heart disease, vision loss, or death.
Even when no symptoms occur, a blood test might help diagnose syphilis. Syphilis is curable at any stage, but the inflicted damage is not.
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