Syphilis Symptoms In Men

By: Laura Townshend

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Syphilis symptoms in men vary according to the stage. When you become infected with the disease, it can move through four stages. If you think you are sick, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Remember to talk with your partner before you have sex so you can judge her sexual history. Always use a condom to protect yourself against syphilis and other STD's. Remember to have check ups on a regular basis for STD screenings. Because syphilis is a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics if the illness is diagnosed in the early stages.

  1. Primary Stage. During the primary stage, syphilis symptoms in men include a small sore called a chancre. There can be more than one chancre, and typically this sore is not painful. Chancres are most often found on the genitals, mouth and rectal area. The lymph nodes in your groin might swell and feel tender. This stage of syphilis symptoms in men presents anywhere from ten days to three months after exposure to the disease.
  2. Secondary Stage. Syphilis symptoms in men during the secondary stage include fever, fatigue, general discomfort, aching, sore throat and a rash. You may think you are coming down with a cold, but the rash is the giveaway. It is a reddish color, with sores the size of a penny. The rash can be found anywhere on your body. The secondary stage of syphilis symptoms in men appears two to ten weeks after the primary stage. The secondary stage can intermittently come and go for over a year.
  3. Latent Stage. During the latent stage of syphilis symptoms in men, there are no visible signs the disease is present. This stage of syphilis can last for many years. While some people will experience the final stage of syphilis, some do not.
  4. Tertiary Stage. The last stage of syphilis symptoms in men is the tertiary stage which appears years after the initial infection. If you reach this stage of syphilis, your symptoms could include problems with coordination, blindness, dementia, numbness and paralysis. At this stage of the disease, there is no treatment for syphilis symptoms in men.
Posted on: Oct. 25, 2010