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Sexually transmitted disease (STD) symptoms

Other types of syphilis

At any stage, syphilis can spread and affect:

  • The brain and spinal cord, also called neurosyphilis.
  • The eyes, called ocular syphilis.
  • The ears, called otosyphilis.
Brain and spinal cord symptoms

Neurosyphilis symptoms can include:

  • Serious headaches.
  • Muscle weakness and trouble with muscle movements.
  • Confusion, trouble focusing or behavior changes.

Neurosyphilis also is linked with a group of symptoms called dementia that affect memory, thinking and social skills.

Eye symptoms

Ocular syphilis symptoms can include eye pain and changes in vision, including blindness.

Ear symptoms

Otosyphilis symptoms can include:

  • Hearing loss.
  • Ringing, buzzing or hissing in the ears, also called tinnitus.
  • Dizziness.
  • Feeling like you or the room around you is spinning.