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How long can a syphilis chancre last without treatment?
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syphilis
Scanning electron micrograph of Treponema pallidum, the spirochete bacterium that is the causative agent of syphilis.
Without medical treatment, a syphilis chancre typically heals on its own within a period ranging from two to six weeks, or approximately 10 to 40 days.12
It is important to understand that the disappearance of this lesion does not mean the infection has been cured. Even after the chancre heals, the underlying disease continues to progress to the secondary stage unless it is treated with appropriate medication, such as penicillin. Because the infection remains active in the body, seeking professional medical care is essential to prevent the serious, long-term health complications associated with the later stages of the disease.12