Together, the primary and secondary stages are known as early syphilis. The third, or tertiary, stage of the disease is also known as late syphilis. Its symptoms may develop soon after the secondary symptoms have vanished or they may lie hidden for 15 or more years. A person may be unaware that the disease is present. Even a blood test may be negative.
Late syphilis is less contagious to others but is extremely dangerous to the person who has it.
It may be fatal, particularly if the central nervous system or heart is affected. The spirochete can invade any cell of the body and can damage any organ or structure of the body, including the internal organs, bones, joints, and skin. The characteristic lesion of tertiary syphilis is a soft gummy tumor called a gumma. If late syphilis attacks the heart, aorta, or aortic valve, death may result from rupture of the weakened aorta or from heart failure. Blindness may result if the infection involves the eyes.