What is the timeline followed for development of syphilis?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 36 years old, and my partner is 55 years old. We have been in an exclusive relationship for over three years. Throughout the entire relationship, I never had sexual contact with anyone other than him. He got a rash before two months. The GP diagnosed it as shingles. But after seeing the blood reports, he was diagnosed with syphilis.

After reading about this condition, I have understood that the stage two symptoms appear after 10 to 90 days of contracting. My partner is persistent that he has not slept with anyone except me. I also understand that syphilis can remain dominant for some time. If he has stage two symptoms, does it mean that he would have contracted it before three months of diagnosis? Is it possible for him to have it before we were together?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The median incubation period (interval between contracting infection and clinical manifestations) of primary syphilis is 21 days (ranges from 10 to 90 days), and it rarely exceeds six weeks. Once the primary sore appears, it persists for four to six weeks, and then it heals. Usually, six to eight weeks after healing of primary sore, secondary syphilis becomes clinically apparent. Patient experiences skin rash at this stage.

The timeline for the development of rash follows this way. When contracting an infection from a sexual partner, it takes 10 to 90 days for development. In median 21 days, primary sores appear on the genital parts. It persists for four to six weeks, and then it heals.

After having healing of primary sore after six to eight weeks, a rash of secondary syphilis appears. Usually, it takes two to eight weeks to heal. So generally, it is unlikely to have the rash appearing after many years of contracting the disease from a sexual partner.