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Secondary syphilis is the second stage of the sexually transmitted disease
Alternative Names
Secondary syphilis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has three main stages:
Primary syphilis - Secondary syphilis
Tertiary syphilis
This article focuses on secondary syphilis.
About a third of untreated individuals with primary syphilis will develop secondary syphilis. This usually occurs at about 2 to 8 weeks after the appearance of the original painless sore (chancre). Sometimes, the sore may still be present.
In secondary syphilis, the bacteria has spread into the bloodstream.
Review Date: 08/01/2008
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Maternal & Child
Health Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of
Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington
School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
