The primary stage is characterized by a painless sore called a chancre appearing 10 to 90 days average 21 days after exposure. The chancre appears at the point of exposure to the infected person either on the genital area, the rectum or the mouth. Swollen lymph nodes also may be present. The second stage, appears 17 days to six months after inoculation or 0 - 10 weeks after the disappearance of the chancre. A skin rash over any area of the body but especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet characterize this stage.
Lesions sometimes appear.
These lesions are highly contagious. During the intermediate stage known as latent syphilis, no symptoms are present. The only way syphilis is diagnosed in this stage is through a blood test. The last, or tertiary stage, is characterized by widespread, often serious, infection. By this time, bacteria have spread throughout the entire body and may affect any of the internal organs including bones, heart, and brain.