How long can syphilis last?

If syphilis remains untreated, it is difficult to predict how long it will last.

The stage of syphilis has an important impact on prognosis. Early syphilis, if untreated, may progress to late stages. Primary syphilis is characterized by hard chancre, and secondary syphilis may develop rashes and other symptoms. If untreated, the disease may continue to develop. However, it may not be life-threatening in a short time. Late syphilis may cause serious complications. For example, cardiovascular syphilis can lead to aortic aneurysm, aortic valve insufficiency, etc., which can affect cardiac function and even cause sudden death in severe cases; neurosyphilis can cause dementia, paralysis, etc., which can seriously affect the quality of life and survival time. If the patient also suffers from other serious underlying diseases, the damage caused by syphilis may interact with other diseases, accelerate health deterioration, and further shorten survival time.