SyphilIS DIFFICULT TO SPOT IF YOU’RE INFECTED.

Find out more about the stages of syphilis

Click on the pulsing targets to learn more about the signs and symptoms of each stage.

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Level of detection

Symptoms tend to be mild and can go undetected and/or unnoticed.

Duration of symptoms

A sore, also called a chancre, is the first sign of infection and usually lasts 3 to 6 weeks before healing on its own, regardless of whether or not you’ve been treated.

Level of detection

A range of symptoms can occur. They tend to be mild so you may not notice them.

Duration of symptoms

These symptoms can develop while the sore is healing, or up to several weeks after it has gone away. Similar to the sore, these symptoms will go away with or without treatment.

Level of detection

There are no visible signs or symptoms during the latent stage. This means it is undetectable at this time. However, without being treated, you still have syphilis.

Duration of symptoms

At this point, without treatment, the infection can stay hidden in your body for years.

Level of detection

Symptoms vary depending on the organs and systems in your body that are affected.

Duration of symptoms

This is a very rare stage of syphilis that appears 10 to 30 years after you’ve been infected. Late-stage syphilis may cause permanent damage and lead to death.


Talk to your doctor about getting tested if you think you may have come in contact with someone who has syphilis.

SyphilIS treatable.

Find out where to get tested

SYPHILISN'T A THING OF THE PAST.

In the early 2000s, syphilis was at an all-time low. Now it is spreading at the highest rate in more than 20 years. And it could be closer than you think.

Number of new cases (all stages) in the US

More and more people in the United States have syphilis

Click on the pulsing targets below to see where syphilis is on the rise.

Syphilis is on the rise in the West, including in California and Nevada
Syphilis is on the rise in the Northeast, including in New York and Washington, DC
Syphilis is on the rise in the South, including in Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida
Syphilis is on the rise in Alaska
Syphilis is on the rise in the Midwest, including in South Dakota, Illinois, and Missouri