“shanker”, “the great imitator”, “the great imposter"

What to Watch for

1st stage:

• Symptoms show up 1-12 weeks after having sex.
• A painless sore or sores on the mouth or sex organs.
• Sore lasts 2-6 weeks.
• Sore goes away, but you still have syphilis.

2nd stage:

• Symptoms show up as the sore heals or after.
• A rash anywhere on the body.
• Flu-like feelings.
• Rash and flu-like feelings go away, but you still have syphilis.

Spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and sometimes by genital touching, with someone who has syphilis.

• You can give syphilis to your sex partner(s).
• Can cause heart disease, brain damage, blindness, and death.
• A mother with syphilis can give it to her baby during pregnancy or have a miscarriage.