Final answer:
Syphilis is most contagious during the secondary stage (B) due to systemic symptoms such as a rash and mucous membrane sores that spread the infection more readily than the other stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Syphilis Contagious Stages
During which stage is syphilis most contagious? The answer to this question is B) Secondary Syphilis.
Secondary syphilis is characterized by systemic symptoms such as a widespread skin rash and mucous membrane sores, which usually appear 4 to 10 weeks after the initial infection and make the disease highly transmittable.
This stage is not only marked by visible symptoms but also by a high level of bacteria in the lesions, heightening the risk of transmission through direct contact.
Unlike secondary syphilis, the primary stage includes a chancre that may go unnoticed due to its painless nature and hidden location.
Conversely, the latent stage has no symptoms but still harbors the bacteria, and the tertiary stage is less contagious but results in severe complications, potentially fatal if untreated.
correct answer B) Secondary Syphilis