Syphilis - secondary

Alternative names:

secondary syphilis

Symptoms:

• skin rash, diffuse including palms and soles
• generalized lymph node enlargement (glands, swollen)
• mouth ulcers (painless silvery ulcerations of mucous membranes)
• headache
• achy muscles (myalgia)
• achy joints (arthralgia)
• loss of appetite
• fever
• fatigue
• hair loss

Note: The secondary stage may, on rare occasion, persist for a year.

Signs and tests:

• VDRL
• RPR
• FTA-ABS fluorescent treponemal antibody test
• darkfield examination (can demonstrate spirochetes)