Syphilis is an STD that, if left untreated, can lead to serious problems including death. It has three stages. At the primary stage, as shown by the photo of a lip above, a painless sore may appear at the spot where the spirochete first entered the body (usually from 10 to 90 days after sexual contact with an infected person). This sore may appear around or in the vagina, on the penis, or inside the mouth or anus. Sores inside the vagina or anus are often unnoticed and may disappear on their own if not treated, but the bacterial infection remains. The second stage occurs from 3 weeks to 3 months after the primary stage and includes flu-like symptoms and possible hair loss. Some people experience a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as well as over the entire body. Although extremely rare, the tertiary stage of syphilis can appear three to 10 years or more after the first and second stages. Symptoms of this stage may include skin lesions, mental deterioration, loss of balance and vision, loss of sensation, shooting pains in the legs, and heart disease. If caught in time, syphilis can be treated and cured with the help of antibiotics.