What are the harms of latent syphilis?
Dec 01, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Latent syphilis can generally cause various harms, including neurological damage, cardiovascular problems, bone and joint lesions, and damage to the skin and mucous membranes. The Treponema pallidum bacterium may invade the central nervous system, leading to diseases such as meningitis and cerebrovascular syphilis, resulting in symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. In severe cases, it may even trigger serious complications such as cerebral infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage.
Latent syphilis can generally lead to various harms, including causing neurological damage, affecting cardiovascular health, leading to bone and joint lesions, damaging skin and mucous membranes, and increasing the risk of contracting other diseases. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Causing neurological damage: The *Treponema pallidum* bacterium may invade the central nervous system, causing diseases such as meningitis and cerebrovascular syphilis, resulting in symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. In severe cases, it may even lead to serious complications such as cerebral infarction or hemorrhage.
2. Affecting cardiovascular health: During the latent period, *Treponema pallidum* may invade the cardiovascular system, causing syphilitic heart disease, aortic valve insufficiency, and other conditions. This can result in symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath, which may become life-threatening in severe cases.
3. Leading to bone and joint lesions: Latent syphilis may cause skeletal and joint disorders such as syphilitic arthritis and osteomyelitis, resulting in joint pain, swelling, and limited mobility, thereby affecting daily life and work.
4. Damaging skin and mucous membranes: During the latent stage, syphilis may damage the skin and mucous membranes, causing syphilitic dermatological conditions and mucosal injuries. These manifest as rashes, ulcers, and mucosal inflammation, affecting physical appearance and mental well-being.
5. Increasing the risk of other infections: Individuals with latent syphilis remain infectious. Additionally, their immune systems may be compromised after infection, increasing susceptibility to other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and gonorrhea.
Once latent syphilis infection is detected, prompt medical attention and proper treatment are essential. Furthermore, public education on sexually transmitted disease prevention should be strengthened to enhance awareness of self-protection.
