secondary syphilis

noun

: the second stage of syphilis that appears from 2 to 6 months after primary infection, that is marked by lesions especially in the skin but also in organs and tissues, and that lasts from 3 to 12 weeks compare tertiary syphilis

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South Dakota had the highest rate of primary and secondary syphilis cases and second-highest rate of congenital syphilis cases, while New Mexico had the highest congenital syphilis rates and the second-highest primary and secondary syphilis case rates. — Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2024 Rates of primary and secondary syphilis rose by 7 percent from 2019 to 2020; gonorrhea cases rose by 10 percent in the same time period. — New York Times, 14 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of secondary syphilis was in 1861

Rhymes for secondary syphilis

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secondary substance
secondary syphilis
secondary technical school
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“Secondary syphilis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondary%20syphilis. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

secondary syphilis

noun
: the second stage of syphilis that appears from 2 to 6 months after primary infection, that is marked by lesions especially in the skin but also in organs and tissues, and that lasts from 3 to 12 weeks
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