Syphilis is a well known sexually transmitted infection (STI), which is most commonly transmitted by having unprotected sex with someone who’s infected.
It should not be taken for granted as if left untreated, syphilis can lead to potentially life-threatening problems such as heart failure and seizures, and other serious medical issues. The use of condoms is recommended to prevent getting infected.
The initial symptoms of syphilis are often mild, hard to notice or could be assumed as signs of some other disease.
They also tend to change over time and may come and go. It is best to get checked out immediately if you notice any of the following signs of syphilis.
1. White patches in mouth
If you develop white patches in the mouth, it could mean that you are infected with syphilis. Primary syphilis typically involves genitalia, however, research has found that oral manifestations are observed in approximately 4–12% of patients, reflecting sexual practices.
Syphilis can also lead to development of condyloma lata in the mouth. These are large, raised, gray or white lesions that usually develop in warm, moist areas like the mouth, underarm or groin region.
2. Patchy hair loss
Secondary syphilis can lead to patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows. As per research, the frequency of hair loss ranges from 2.9% to 7%. The pattern of this hair loss can be moth-eaten, diffuse or both. The moth-eaten pattern is the most common type of hair loss due to secondary syphilis. Apart from mouth and hair, there are other important symptoms also which one should be aware of:
3. Small sores
The first sign of syphilis are usually small sores called chancre. The first sore appears at the spot from where the entered your body. Most people infected with syphilis develop only one chancre, however, some people can develop several of these.
The chancre usually develops about three weeks after exposure from the bacteria. Many people who have syphilis don’t notice the chance because it’s usually painless, and could be hidden within the vagina or rectum. The chancre will heal on its own within three to six weeks of the infection.
4. Rashes
Within a few weeks of the original chancre healing, you may experience rashes that begin with a single rash usually in your trunk, but eventually spread all over your body — even the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.
This rash is usually not itchy. It may appear as rough, red, or reddish-brown spots. They can also be too faint to notice. Sometimes they resemble rashes caused by other diseases.
5. Flu-like symptoms
People may also feel sick and have mild flu-like symptoms during the second stage of syphilis. These symptoms include a slight fever, feeling tired or fatigue, sore throat, swollen glands, headache, and muscle aches. If not properly treated, these symptoms can come and go for months or even years.
Fatigue is also a symptom of a late-stage chlamydial or gonorrheal infection. It can also be caused by Hepatitis A, B, and C. Flu-like symptoms are also the earliest symptoms of an HIV infection and may appear after 2 to 6 weeks of exposure.
