Stroke is life-threatening complication of a long-term syphilis infection.

Untreated, late-stage tertiary syphilis can cause inflammation and blockage of the arteries that supply the brain. A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. Stroke can lead to brain tissue damage.

The following symptoms may occur about 1-4 weeks before the stroke:

• Headache
• Vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement)
• Behavioral changes
• Irritability

• Weakness or the total inability to move a body part
• Numbness, tingling or other abnormal sensations
• Decreased or lost vision, partial or temporary
• Language difficulties (aphasia)
• Inability to recognize or identify sensory stimuli (agnosia)
• Loss of memory
• Vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement)
• Loss of coordination
• Swallowing difficulties
• Personality changes
• Mood and emotion changes
• Urinary incontinence (lack of control over bladder)
• Lack of control over the bowels
• Consciousness changes
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of consciousness

The doctor will ask if you have a history of syphilis. Blood tests can be done to check for substances in the blood produced by the bacteria that causes syphilis. These include:

• Venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL)
• Rapid plasma reagin test (RPR)

If tests are positive, other tests are done to confirm the diagnosis. A spinal tap may be done to check for syphilis-related substances in the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid).

The following tests may be used to determine the location and severity of the stroke:

• Head CT scan
• Head MRI scan
• Angiography of the head or neck