The secondary stage of syphilis

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During the secondary stage of syphilis, the Treponema pallidum bacterium enters and multiplies in the bloodstream, leading to a wider dissemination across the body and potentially causing symptoms such as rashes, fever, sore throat, and muscle aches. It typically occurs about 2-8 weeks after the initial infection, and the patient remains contagious to others during this period. However, by the end of the secondary stage, the risk of transmission decreases significantly. Gummas, on the other hand, are characteristic lesions that form in the tertiary stage of syphilis, which can occur years or even decades after the initial infection.

The Secondary Stage of Syphilis