A patient is admitted to the hospital with fever, headache, malaise, joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. Blood cultures are positive for Treponema pallidum. The nurse recognizes this as which type of syphilis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Secondary syphilis occurs when the organism spreads to the bloodstream, causing systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, reduced appetite, and general malaise, along with enlarged lymph nodes and joint pain. Congenital syphilis occurs when infants are exposed to T. pallidum in utero; early symptoms include sores, rhinitis, and point tenderness over bones. Primary syphilis is characterized by a primary lesion, called a chancre, at the point of entry, along with enlarged lymph nodes. Tertiary syphilis develops 5 to 40 years after the initial infection and can involve the brain, heart, and other sites.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Hospital with Fever, Headache