A spiral bacterium, Treponema pallidum, spreads from the entry site, into the blood, and at last into the nervous system. The early sores are painless and heal on their own, which is exactly why untreated syphilis keeps moving forward. Run the clock, then treat.
What shows on the body
Each stage marks a different place. Watch the palms and soles in the second stage, and the heart, vessels, and brain at the end.
Move the clock to begin.
Thirty years on one line
The bands are the stages. The flag marks the month penicillin was given.
Month 0Just exposed, nothing to see yet
Jump to a point
Months since exposure0
Stage
none
where it is now
Organism
0
% of peak load
Blood test
1:1
RPR titer
Can pass it on
no
to a partner
Damage
0
% locked in for good
Treated
no
month of penicillin
What is happening now
Move the clock or jump to a stage.
Treat the partner too. Co-infection with chlamydia and gonorrhea is common, and a person stays open to reinfection until sexual partners are treated. Partner notification is standard care.