Syphilis: A Tricky Disease that may Pose Some Diagnostic Challenges - A Case Report

Abstract

This article reports a case of secondary stage syphilis involving the oral mucosa and the skin (the palms). The le-sion's clinical aspects of both sites could possibly be misdi-agnosed for some common inflammatory diseases, among them oral lichenoid contact lesion or drug reaction. As a standard procedure, the differential diagnosis required to rule out syphilis. The treponemal and anti-treponemal tests confirmed the diagnosis of syphilis. The patient was successfully treated, but, unfortunately, his partners from sexual encounters were left unaccounted for. People who contract syphilis and are left untreated jeopardize society. This is the main reason why syphilis cannot be easily controlled from spreading.