Is Syphilis Invisible? Symptoms and Recurrences

Is syphilis invisible?

Last February, I suddenly woke up with a fever, a type of fever I had never experienced before.
A few days later, I discovered a half-spherical mass the size of a ping pong ball on my cervix.
Initially, I thought I had cancer.
After a month, the ulcerous smell disappeared, but I noticed some faint, non-raised red rashes on my calves.
Soon, these rashes spread to my thighs, remaining non-raised and only becoming noticeably red when I soaked in hot water.
Additionally, I developed two or three sores on my back, which I initially thought were acne, but when I picked at them, they turned into ulcers with a small black dot beside them.
I began researching sexually transmitted diseases and confirmed that it was syphilis, so I went to a clinic for syphilis screening.
The doctor at that time could not see the rashes and only agreed to test because I insisted; he seemed to think I was overreacting and suggested I see a dermatologist.
Seven days later, he seriously informed me that I had syphilis and referred me to a larger hospital.
After the first injection, I experienced about a month of calm, but then the syphilis recurred, this time replicating at a faster rate.
Because I didn’t understand the situation, I delayed for six months, thinking it was serious, and returned to the hospital for a second injection.
This time, it only lasted three weeks before I noticed the symptoms again, and I could feel them moving and replicating even faster.
I thought it was a normal phenomenon and waited another week to observe, but instead of decreasing, the symptoms increased.
I immediately returned to the hospital, and this time I switched to oral medication.
For the first three days, the symptoms decreased, but on the fourth day, they returned, and the syphilis had evolved; it could penetrate plastic bags and even glass.
Throughout this year, I have been actively researching why I keep relapsing, and I finally found the reason.
I could see the syphilis, and that day I conducted an experiment with it.
I recorded a video, but I cannot upload it here.

Xiao Ou, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2024/01/11

Dr. Liao Zhongxin reply Internal Medicine

A.
Your description is quite vivid; however, the Treponema pallidum is not that miraculous.
It can be cured with a course of penicillin.
B.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the modes of transmission are as follows: 1.
Close contact during sexual intercourse and other sexual activities is the primary route of transmission.
Direct contact with secretions, bodily fluids, and other exudates (such as semen, blood, and vaginal secretions) from lesions on the skin or mucous membranes is highly infectious.
2.
Bloodborne transmission: This can occur through blood transfusions, sharing needles, and other injection equipment.
3.
Vertical transmission from mother to child: If appropriate treatment is not received during early pregnancy, the infection can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta, leading to congenital syphilis in newborns, which can be severe and even result in stillbirth or death.
C.
Clinical symptoms: Syphilis is a systemic chronic infectious disease with complex and highly variable symptoms.
It typically manifests at sites of skin or mucous membrane lesions and can rapidly disseminate throughout the body, affecting various organs and tissues.
However, patients may also be completely asymptomatic.
Based on the duration of infection and the presence of infectiousness, syphilis is classified into early and late stages.
Early syphilis refers to the period within two years post-infection, during which it is highly infectious; painless ulcers and hard chancres appear at the site of contact, with a very high risk of transmission, commonly occurring on any part of the male penis and in the vagina of females.
If early syphilis is left untreated, the hard chancre may spontaneously heal after several weeks, but the disease will progress.
Systemic symptoms may arise, including headache, fatigue, nausea, fever, weight loss, and muscle and joint pain.
Subsequently, a rash may develop, often presenting as raised red spots the size of small beans on the skin, and generalized lymphadenopathy is also a common symptom, with swollen lymph nodes feeling firm like rubber and being painless, typically found in the groin, neck, occipital, axillary, and supraclavicular regions.
Following this, syphilis can enter a stage with no clinical symptoms, which may last from several months to even 20 years.
During this period, although patients exhibit no clinical symptoms, Treponema pallidum remains present in the body and continues to cause damage to bodily tissues and organs.
This often affects the nervous system, with mild and subtle symptoms primarily including headaches, vomiting, and papilledema.
Recurrent rashes and mucosal lesions may reappear, leading to recurrent syphilis.
Late syphilis typically occurs 3 to 7 years post-infection, usually with reduced infectiousness, and the main symptom is "gummatous lesions," which can occur in the skin, epidermal tissues, and musculoskeletal system.
D.
The above describes untreated syphilis infection.
It is recommended to seek complete treatment at a nearby medical facility, and partners should also be tested and treated together to prevent reinfection.

Reply Date: 2024/01/11

More Info

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is often referred to as a "silent" disease because many of its symptoms can be subtle or go unnoticed, especially in the early stages. Understanding the symptoms and potential recurrences of syphilis is crucial for effective management and treatment.

Symptoms of Syphilis
Syphilis progresses through several stages, each with distinct symptoms:
1. Primary Stage: This stage is characterized by the appearance of a single sore, known as a chancre, at the site of infection. The sore is usually painless and can go unnoticed. It typically appears about three weeks after exposure and heals on its own within a few weeks.

2. Secondary Stage: This stage can occur weeks to months after the initial sore heals. Symptoms may include skin rashes, mucous membrane lesions (such as mucous membrane lesions in the mouth), and flu-like symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes. The rashes can be non-itchy and may appear as reddish-brown spots or bumps, which can be mistaken for other skin conditions.

3. Latent Stage: If left untreated, syphilis can enter a latent stage where no symptoms are present, but the bacteria remain in the body. This stage can last for years.

4. Tertiary Stage: This stage can occur years after the initial infection and can lead to severe complications affecting the heart, brain, and other organs. Symptoms may include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, and cognitive impairment.

Recurrences and Complications
Syphilis can recur if a person is re-exposed to the bacteria, but it does not "reappear" in the same way that some viral infections do. Instead, new infections can occur if there is contact with an infected individual. Additionally, if syphilis is not adequately treated, it can progress through its stages, leading to more severe health issues.

The symptoms you described, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and skin lesions, align with the secondary stage of syphilis. The presence of ulcers and rashes that change in appearance can also indicate ongoing infection or complications. It is essential to follow up with healthcare providers for appropriate testing and treatment, as untreated syphilis can lead to serious health problems.

Importance of Medical Attention
Given your experience with recurrent symptoms and the progression of your condition, it is crucial to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider. If you notice changes in your symptoms or if they worsen, seeking immediate medical attention is vital. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, with penicillin being the most common and effective option for syphilis.

Conclusion
Syphilis is often described as "invisible" due to its ability to present with mild or no symptoms, especially in the early stages. However, it is a serious infection that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the stages and symptoms of syphilis can help individuals recognize potential signs of infection and seek medical care sooner. Regular screenings and safe sexual practices are essential in preventing syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have concerns about your health or symptoms, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional for guidance and support.

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I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.

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