A 22-year old flight attendant comes to your clinic complaining of shallow ulcers in her mouth and a widespread red rash on her chest, back, and palms. She had unprotected sex about 6 weeks ago when she flew to the Caribbean. Which of the following diseases or conditions are suggested by her history and skin findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A characteristic finding in secondary syphilis is a rash that affects the palms and the soles of the feet, about 10 days to 2 months after sexual activity. This patient also has mucous patches in her mouth, another characteristic lesion found in the disease. The primary lesion of syphilis, a genital ulcer called a chancre, is painless, and may not be noticed by some patients. If secondary syphilis is not treated, the responsible spirochete, Treponema pallidum, invades internal organs such as the brain and the heart and, after a period of several years, causes disabling signs and symptoms.

A 22-Year Old Flight Attendant Comes to Your Clinic Complaining