Secondary syphilis is the second stage of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis. This stage is the most contagious.
Alternative Names:
Secondary syphilis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has three main stages: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, and tertiary syphilis.
About a third of untreated individuals with primary syphilis will develop secondary syphilis. This usually occurs at about 2 to 8 weeks after the appearance of the original painless sore (chancre). Sometimes, the sore may still be present.
In secondary syphilis, the bacteria has spread into the bloodstream.
Symptoms:
The most common symptom is a skin rash, which varies in appearance, yet frequently involves the palms and soles. Lesions called mucous patches may be seen in or on the mouth, vagina, or penis.
Moist, warty patches may develop on the genitalia or skin folds. These are called condylomata lata.
During secondary syphilis, additional symptoms such as fever, general ill feeling, loss of appetite, muscle aches, joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes, and hair loss may occur.
Signs and tests:
Blood tests can be done to detect substances produced by the bacteria that causes syphilis. An initial screening is done with the VDRL test or RPR. If these are positive, the diagnosis is confirmed by another blood test called FTA-ABS.
Review Date: 6/22/2007
Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Medical Director, Chest (TB)Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, Harlem Hospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Infectious Diseases 
