Syphilis infection is divided into three stages. Symptoms appear at the initial time of infection although they may be unrecognized but can also appear several years later if the infection is not treated. During the primary stage, symptoms may include one or more painless, firm sores (chancres) at the spot where syphilis entered the body (i.e., on the sex organs, anus or in the mouth). The sores last about three to six weeks and then heal without treatment. However, syphilis still remains in the blood. During the secondary stage, about one to two months after the initial sores appear, a rash may develop anywhere on the body and mucous lesions or hair loss may appear. The symptoms of secondary syphilis eventually will resolve with or without treatment, but without treatment, the infection will progress to the latent period of the disease. During the latent period, individuals are infected with syphilis but do not show signs or symptoms of the disease. The tertiary stage of infection occurs 15 to 30 years after initial infection and can damage the brain, heart, nerves, eyes, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. Congenital syphilis can cause stillbirth, prematurity, neonatal death or a live-born infant can have many symptoms. Infants may also not have symptoms at birth and may develop late manifestations that appear after 2 years of age and involve the central nervous system, bones and joints, teeth, eyes and skin.