Syphilis is a fairly common sexually transmitted infection which is caused by the treponema pallidum bacteria. This infection may be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact with infected regions or during sexual intercourse. Syphilis progresses through stages three stages and secondary syphilis is the second stage in this condition and is also the most contagious stage.

Around one third of the syphilis cases develop into secondary syphilis. This normally happen around 2 to 8 weeks following the eruption of the painless sore or chancre. In some cases the chancre may be present at the time the condition enters the second stage. In the second stage the bacteria spreads into a person’s bloodstream.

In secondary syphilis the skin rash is commonly observed and this skin rash may vary in appearance. This skin rash is observed on the palms along with soles of individuals. This rash usually consists of red lesions. Along with rash lesions also known as mucous patches may be observed in certain regions like the vagina, mouth and the penis. In some cases moist and warty patches may be observed on the genitalia or the skin folds.

In secondary syphilis other symptoms that may be experienced include fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, general ill feeling, muscle aches, hair loss and enlarged lymph nodes. A woman who is pregnant having syphilis in the secondary stage may pass on this infection to the infant in the absence of treatment.

In secondary syphilis a patient may also experience skin lesions in areas that moist and also in the mucus membranes. Ulcer patches may be observed in the mucus membranes of the mouth or the vagina. Neck stiffness may be experienced in some cases and this can be a sign of possible meningitis. Diagnosis of this condition can be done through dark field microscopy. The diagnosis may also be confirmed with FTA-ABS antibody test.

The symptoms associated with this condition may be observed around 1 to 6 months after the primary infection. The lesions are all extremely infectious and have active treponema organisms. Meningitis can occur in around 2% of the cases.