Medscape: Chancre of the Eyelid as Manifestation of Primary Syphilis, and Precocious Chorioretinitis and Uveitis in an HIV-infected Patient Chancre of the Eyelid as Manifestation of Primary Syphilis, and Precocious Chorioretinitis and Uveitis in an HIV-infected Patient Syphilis develops in stages. The symptoms vary with each stage. But the stages may overlap.

Understanding the Context

And the symptoms don't always happen in the same order. You may be infected with syphilis bacteria without noticing any symptoms for years. Primary syphilis The first symptom of syphilis is a small sore called a chancre (SHANG-kur). The sore is often painless.

Key Insights

It appears at the spot where the bacteria ... The first symptom is what we call a Chancre. It’s almost like a painless ulcer that occurs right at the sites where the syphilis actually had entered into your body. Then from there, many people go on to develop different stages of syphilis. We divide it into three different stages, the primary, secondary, and then tertiary stage.

Final Thoughts

Primary syphilis causes painless sores (chancres) on the genitals, rectum, tongue or lips. The disease can be present with the appearance of a single chancre (shown here on a penis) or many.