Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It progresses through several stages, with distinct symptoms in each stage. Only the first two stages of syphilis are contagious.
The stages of syphilis
Syphilis progresses through four stages:
- Primary syphilis
- Secondary syphilis
- Latent syphilis
- Tertiary syphilis
Let’s take a closer look at each stage to understand when syphilis is contagious.
Primary syphilis
This is the first stage of syphilis infection. It occurs about 3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria and lasts for 2-6 weeks. The symptoms of primary syphilis include:
- A single painless sore called a chancre at the site of infection, usually on the genitals, rectum, tongue, or lips.
- The chancre lasts 3-6 weeks and heals on its own.
- Swollen lymph nodes near the chancre.
Primary syphilis is highly contagious. The bacteria are present in the chancre and can be transmitted through direct contact.
Secondary syphilis
This stage occurs 2-10 weeks after the chancre heals. Secondary syphilis is also contagious. Its symptoms include:
- Rash on the palms, soles of the feet, torso, limbs, mouth, genitals.
- The rash can be reddish or brown, scaly, raised, flat, or pustular.
- Hair loss.
- Fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes.
- Condylomata lata (moist, flat growths in warm areas like the groin or underarm).
The rash and lesions of secondary syphilis contain treponemes and are infectious. Without treatment, the symptoms resolve in 2-10 weeks.
Latent syphilis
After secondary syphilis, the infection enters a latent or hidden phase. This stage is asymptomatic. Latent syphilis is divided into early and late phases:
- Early latent syphilis – Within 1 year of infection.
- Late latent syphilis – More than 1 year after infection.
Despite having no symptoms, latent syphilis can still be diagnosed by blood tests. However, latent syphilis is not contagious. The risk of transmission is extremely low as the number of treponemes is very small.
Tertiary syphilis
This is the most advanced stage of syphilis, setting in anywhere from 3-30 years after infection. Symptoms include:
- Gummas – rubbery growths on skin, bones, liver, and other organs.
- Neurosyphilis – brain and nervous system damage leading to dementia, numbness, vision loss.
- Cardiovascular syphilis – aortic aneurysm, coronary artery disease.
Tertiary syphilis is not contagious, even though the bacteria may still be present in small numbers. The damage in this stage is caused more by the immune system’s response to long-term infection rather than by the bacteria itself.
Conclusion
In summary, the early stages of syphilis – primary and secondary – are highly contagious. The bacteria are present in large numbers and can be transmitted through contact with syphilitic sores, rashes, and lesions.
However, once the infection becomes latent, it is no longer contagious. Latent syphilis has no external symptoms, and the risk of transmission is negligible. Tertiary syphilis is also not contagious despite being the most severe stage of infection.
Therefore, to answer the original question – the stage of syphilis that is not contagious is the latent stage, either early or late latent syphilis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the stages of syphilis?
The four stages of syphilis are:
- Primary syphilis
- Secondary syphilis
- Latent syphilis
- Tertiary syphilis
How does syphilis progress through the stages?
Syphilis progresses through the stages in the following timeframe:
- Primary syphilis – 3 to 6 weeks after infection
- Secondary syphilis – 2 to 10 weeks after primary stage
- Latent syphilis
- Early latent – Within 1 year of infection
- Late latent – More than 1 year after infection
- Tertiary syphilis – 3 to 30 years after infection
Which stage of syphilis has visible symptoms?
The primary and secondary stages of syphilis have visible symptoms. Primary syphilis has the painless chancre sore. Secondary syphilis has rashes and lesions on skin and mucous membranes.
Latent and tertiary syphilis do not have outward symptoms although internal damage still occurs.
Why is latent syphilis non-contagious?
Latent syphilis is non-contagious because the number of bacteria present is very small. There are no external symptoms or lesions that contain infectious treponemes.
The immune system suppresses the infection during latency. This makes transmission through contact very unlikely.
Can syphilis be spread through kissing or sharing utensils?
Syphilis spreads through direct skin or mucous membrane contact with syphilitic sores or rashes. Casual contact like kissing or sharing utensils usually does not spread syphilis.
However, contact with the mouth sores of primary or secondary syphilis can transmit the bacteria through deep kissing. To be safe, avoid kissing and sharing utensils if you or your partner has visible symptoms.
Key Takeaways
- Only primary and secondary syphilis are contagious stages.
- Latent syphilis is not contagious due to the low number of bacteria present.
- Tertiary syphilis is also not contagious as symptoms are caused by immune system damage.
- Use barriers like condoms to avoid transmission through direct skin and mucous membrane contact.
| Stage | Contagious? |
|---|---|
| Primary syphilis | Yes |
| Secondary syphilis | Yes |
| Latent syphilis | No |
| Tertiary syphilis | No |