Syphilis

Early latent or late latent. Why does the label matter?

My letter says late latent. I had assumed latent just meant no symptoms.

apple_crate 2 months ago

NoteMember experience, not medical advice. Symptoms overlap between infections and only a test can tell them apart.

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far_field 2 months ago

It does mean no symptoms. The early and late distinction is about how long you have had it, and it changes two things.

First, treatment duration: late latent infection is treated with a longer course. Second, infectiousness: early infection is transmissible sexually, late latent generally is not.

open_window 2 months ago

It also changes partner notification, because the look back period for early infection is different from what is asked for late latent.

wool_coat 2 months ago

If nobody can establish when it was acquired, it is usually managed as late latent or unknown duration, which means the longer treatment. Being treated for longer than strictly necessary is the safe error here.

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