Secondary Syphilis (as cause of Pharyngitis)

Suspect if other manifestations suggestive of 2° syphilis:
  • Fever
  • Generalized Rash, involving palms & soles
  • Generalized Adenopathy (posterior cervical, occipital, axillary, epitrochlear)
  • Condylomata lata (moist gray plaques on mucus membranes)
Order RPR or VDRL (100% sensitive) if above findings
  • Titer should be high (e.g. ≥1:16, usually lots more)
  • Low titer (≤1:4) suggests sero-fast Late-Latent Syphilis (different Tx)

Many of above clinical findings of 2° Syphilis also occur with Primary HIV

See postings Sore Throat – 2 and also Syphilis.