syphilis (secondary)
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is syphilis in its second stage occurring 6 to 8 weeks after the healing of the chancre.
The features of secondary syphilis generally abate after a few months. However, in about 20% of individuals the condition may occur during a period known as early latency.
The period of late latency is entered after one year - this period may continue for many years before the late stages of syphilis are apparent.
The development of secondary syphilis is somewhat of a medical paradox, coming after such a good immune response in primary syphilis.