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Why can a primary syphilis chancre go unnoticed?
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syphilis
Scanning electron micrograph of Treponema pallidum, the spirochete bacterium that is the causative agent of syphilis.
A primary syphilis chancre may go unnoticed for several reasons:
- Internal Location: In women, the chancre often occurs internally (such as on the cervix), making it difficult to see or feel.1
- Subtle Appearance: The lesion may be so slight in color that it is not easily detected.2
- Painless Nature: Because the chancre is typically painless, it does not cause the discomfort that might otherwise draw attention to the site of infection.12
Regardless of whether the sore is noticed, it is important to seek medical attention. Although a chancre may heal spontaneously within a few weeks, the underlying infection will continue to progress to the secondary stage if it is not treated with penicillin.12