The chancre heals within one to five weeks. However, a blood test for syphilis will remain positive. This is when the bacteria invade the organs of the body. Tertiary syphilis can occur as late as 20 years after the initial infection. When syphilis does go into the symptomatic tertiary stage is becomes a very serious medical condition.
Lesions develop in the organs of the body.
The lesions grow in the liver, bone, brain, spinal cord, and cardiovascular system. Untreated syphilis can cause a pregnant woman to have a baby with birth defects or often it will die while still in the uterus. Incubation Period 10 days to 3 months, averaging about 3 weeks. The blood test for syphilis is inexpensive and often free at your local Department of Health. Sometimes the incubation period can delay the test's sensitivity, so tests are usually repeated after 6 weeks when the initial tests are negative and the health care provider suspects you have syphilis.