Tertiary Syphilis: Symptoms and Serious Complications

Stage 3 syphilis is the latest and most dangerous stage of syphilis. If not detected and treated early, the bacteria causing the disease can silently exist in the body for years before causing severe damage to the cardiovascular system, nervous system, eyes, joints, and other organs. Although syphilis can be effectively treated in the early stages, when it progresses to stage 3, many damages have become irreversible. This is why regular testing and early detection play a particularly important role.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

The disease is usually transmitted through:

• Unsafe sexual contact
• Oral sex
• Anal sex
• From mother to child during pregnancy

One of the dangerous characteristics of syphilis is that the disease can progress silently for many years without the patient realizing it.

Stages of syphilis

Syphilis typically progresses through several stages:

Primary stage

• Appearance of a syphilitic sore (a painless ulcer)
• Usually appears on the genitalia, anus, or mouth

Secondary stage

• Full-body rash
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Mild fever
• Fatigue
• Bald patches

Latent stage

• No clear symptoms
• The bacteria still exist in the body

Stage 3 syphilis

• Appears after many years without treatment
• Causes severe damage to multiple organs
• Can lead to disability or death

Complications of stage 3 syphilis

Skin, mucous membrane, and organ damage

At this stage, patients may develop lesions known as syphilitic gummas.

These lesions can appear on:

• Skin
• Mouth
• Tongue
• Throat
• Liver
• Muscles
• Bones and joints

These lesions can destroy tissue and leave permanent scars.

Cardiovascular syphilis

One of the most severe complications of stage 3 syphilis is damage to the cardiovascular system.

The bacteria can cause:

• Aortic inflammation
• Aortic dilation
• Aortic valve regurgitation
• Aortic aneurysm

In severe cases, cardiovascular complications can threaten the patient's life.

Neurosyphilis

Neurosyphilis occurs when the bacteria invade the central nervous system.

Symptoms may include:

• Chronic headaches
• Memory disorders
• Loss of motor coordination
• Numbness in hands and feet
• Sensory disturbances
• Urinary problems
• Seizures
• Behavioral changes

If left untreated, patients may experience severe neurological impairment.

Complications in the eyes and ears

The syphilis bacteria can also affect:

Eyes

• Blurred vision
• Decreased vision
• Eye inflammation
• Blindness in severe cases

Ears

• Decreased hearing
• Tinnitus
• Complete hearing loss

These complications can have long-term effects on the quality of life.

Syphilis and pregnancy

Undetected syphilis during pregnancy can have serious effects on the fetus.

The risks include:

• Spontaneous abortion
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth
• Congenital syphilis

Children with congenital syphilis may face many health problems from an early age if not detected early.

Why does stage 3 syphilis still occur?

Despite the availability of many effective testing and treatment methods, stage 3 syphilis still occurs due to:

• Lack of regular testing
• Failure to recognize early symptoms
• Reluctance to access healthcare services
• Overconfidence when symptoms disappear
• Incomplete treatment as per guidelines

Many people think the disease is cured when sores or rashes disappear, while the bacteria continue to exist in the body.

How to prevent complications of syphilis?

Measures that help reduce the risk of contracting and progressing the disease include:

• Correct use of condoms
• Regular STI testing
• Health check-ups when engaging in risky behavior
• Early treatment upon detection of the disease
• Encouraging partners to also test and treat

Early detection of the disease helps in effective treatment and minimizes long-term complications.

Proactively protect your health with Love2Test.vn

Love2Test.vn provides useful information about HIV, syphilis, PrEP, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Users can learn about sexual health knowledge, assess their risk online, and raise awareness about the importance of regular testing. Proactive health checks help detect syphilis early before it progresses to dangerous stages.

Conclusion

Stage 3 syphilis is the result of not detecting or treating the disease for a long time. This stage can cause severe damage to the cardiovascular system, nervous system, eyes, ears, and other organs, even threatening life. However, syphilis can be effectively detected and treated if tested early. Actively seeking information, undergoing regular testing, and updating knowledge from Love2Test.vn are important steps to protect your health and the community.