Late-stage syphilis symptoms

Steps:

• Recall syphilis progresses in stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
• Identify primary stage features a chancre (hard ulcer) at infection site.
• Note secondary stage includes rash and possible discharge-like symptoms.
• Recognize tertiary stage occurs years later, causing severe organ damage like to the central nervous system.

Why C is correct:

• Tertiary syphilis, per medical definition, develops 10–30 years post-infection and includes neurosyphilis, which damages the central nervous system.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Discharge is more typical of gonorrhea or secondary syphilis, not late-stage.
• B: Hard ulcer (chancre) appears in primary stage, weeks after infection.
• D: Red rash occurs in secondary stage, months after infection.

Final answer: C