syphilitic laryngitis

Syphilitic laryngitis is a complication of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In the later stages of syphilis, tissue destruction can occur in the larynx, leading to healing and scar formation. These scars can alter the larynx's structure, shorten the vocal cords, and result in persistent hoarseness. Syphilis is treatable with penicillin and other antibiotics, which effectively kill the bacteria. However, any damage caused by the disease before treatment, such as scarring in the larynx, cannot be reversed.12