The late phase of syphilis is called tertiary syphilis. This infection is caused by the treponema pallidum bacteria. This infection is transmitted through sexual intercourse with an infected person. The syphilis infection affects the genitals, mouth and lips along with rectum in infected individuals. The tertiary stage of this infection can follow the primary infection by around 3 to 15 years.

In tertiary syphilis the bacteria causing the infection continue to grow. Damage and lesions tend to affect bones, tissues, skin, arteries and heart. In present times tertiary stage of this disease is not seen frequently since early detection and treatment of the disease is possible. The symptoms associated with this stage of syphilis depend on the organ systems that are affected.

The tertiary syphilis stage is also characterized by development of gummas which are basically soft and tumor like inflammation balls that are also known as granulomas. These granulomas reflect the inability of a person’s immune system to clear the organism. These gummas can appear anywhere and other problems with this stage may include degeneration of surfaces of joints.

Some symptomatic problems that are related to tertiary syphilis include cardiovascular syphilis and this affects the aorta and results in valve disease along with aneurysms. This stage may also cause central nervous system disorders and infiltrative tumors of bone, skin and liver. Some tests like RPR or VDRL may be used for screening purposes.

Depending on the time period for which a person is infected the treatment may be determined. The length of treatment also depends on the degree of infection and health of the individual. This infection including the tertiary syphilis stage is treated with antibiotics like penicillin, doxycycline and tetracycline.

A pregnant woman suffering from this infection is treated with penicillin. Research indicates that in untreated syphilis around 10% of patients may develop cardiovascular syphilis while 16% may develop gumma formation. Around 7% of patients may develop neurosyphilis.