Syphilis Symptoms
Syphilis is often known as the ‘great imitator’ due to its ability to produce symptoms that mimic a variety of other infections. The signs and symptoms of Syphilis can be difficult to recognise and some people may not even notice them. Syphilis can develop in three stages:
1. Primary Syphilis
The symptoms for primary syphilis can take up to 12 weeks to develop. One or more painless, red sores (chancre) may appear on the vagina, cervix, cock, balls, mouth, throat or arse. These sores may take between two to six weeks to heal, and this stage may also be accompanied by swelling of the glands closest to the site of infection.
2. Secondary Syphilis
The secondary phase can develop four to ten weeks 
after the appearance of the chancre. This stage has many symptoms, and therefore can be confused with other infections. The most frequently reported symptoms include: A whole-body rash (common on soles of feet and palms of hands), fever, headaches, patchy hair loss and swollen lymph nodes. These signs and symptoms will clear up with or without treatment. However, without treatment, the infection will develop into the tertiary stage.
3. Tertiary Syphilis
When the symptoms of secondary Syphilis have subsided, the infection enters this stage. This means that although the person will have no symptoms, they are still infected. Left untreated, syphilis can cause serious damage to the heart, nervous system and brain. This internal damage may turn up many years later, and the time frame for this progression is very variable; varying from three to ten years.
