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Syphilis - Tertiary
Alternate Names : Late Syphilis, Tertiary Syphilis
DefinitionTertiary syphilis is a late phase of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Tertiary syphilis can follow the initial infection, primary syphilis, by 3 to 15 years. Secondary syphilis is the stage that precedes tertiary syphilis if primary syphilis is not treated.
In tertiary syphilis, the spirochetes have continued to reproduce for years. Pockets of damage accumulate in various tissues such as the bones, skin, nervous tissue, heart, and arteries. These lesions are called gummas and are very destructive.
Lesions in the central nervous system produce neurological disease called neurosyphilis which can include tabes dorsalis, general paresis, and optic atrophy. Lesions of the heart, heart valves and aorta can lead to aneurysms, valvular heart disease, and aortitis.
Tertiary syphilis is less frequently seen today than in the past because of early detection and adequate treatment. The incidence of tertiary syphilis is approximately 5 per 100,000 individuals annually in the US.
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• Definition
• Tertiary Syphilis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Tertiary Syphilis Symptoms & Signs
• Tertiary Syphilis Prevention
• Tertiary Syphilis Diagnosis & Tests
• Tertiary Syphilis Treatment
• Tertiary Syphilis Prognosis
• Tertiary Syphilis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Aneurysm
• General Paresis
• Gumma
• Heart Disease
• Neurosyphilis
• Optic Nerve Atrophy
• Syphilis
• Syphilis - Primary
• Syphilis - Secondary
• Syphilitic Myelopathy
Tests & Exams
• CSF Smear
• FTA-ABS
• RPR
• VDRL
Other Topics
• Cardiovascular
• Central Nervous System
• Fever
• Headache
• Incidence
• Joint Pain
• Malaise
• Muscle Aches
• Muscle Cramps
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Reportable Diseases
• Symptomatic
Review Date : 8/4/2002
Reviewed By : Camille Kotton, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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