Secondary syphilis of skin or mucous membranes

**Definition:** A disease caused by an infection with Treponema pallidum pallidum. This disease is characterised by lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. Transmission is commonly by sexual contact.

**Long definition:** Secondary syphilis becomes apparent about eight weeks after initial infection and results from generalized treponemal dissemination. An asymptomatic macular rash which may easily be overlooked is the commonest initial manifestation (macular syphilide) but, if the infection is not treated promptly, this may develop into a more florid and longer-lasting papular form (papular syphilide). Secondary syphilis is commonly associated with mucous membrane lesions (mucous patches), fever, headache, bone and joint pains and lymphadenopathy. It is highly infectious.