Syphilis

Primary syphilis is typically acquired by direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person.  Approximately 3 to 90 days after the initial exposure (average 21 days) a skin lesion, called a chancre, appears at the point of contact.  This is classically (40% of the time) a single, firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration with a clean base and sharp borders between 0.3 and 3.0 cm in size.  The lesion, however, may take on almost any form.

This is a primary chancre on the index finger.

In the classic form, it evolves from a macule to a papule and finally to an erosion or ulcer.  Occasionally, multiple lesions may be present (~40%), with multiple lesions more common when coinfected with HIV.  Lesions may be painful or tender (30%), and they may occur outside of the genitals (2–7%).  The most common location in women is the cervix (44%), the penis in heterosexual men (99%), and anally and rectally relatively commonly in men who have sex with men (34%).  Lymph node enlargement frequently (80%) occurs around the area of infection, occurring seven to 10 days after chancre formation.  The lesion may persist for three to six weeks without treatment.

ALWAYS HAVE SYPHILIS TREATED EARLY.  IT IS TREATED WITH ORAL ANTIBIOTICS AND IS QUICK, SIMPLE AND PAIN-FREE.” ”>