Neurosyphilis, Ocular Syphilis, and Otosyphilis
At any stage of infection, syphilis can invade the:
nervous system (neurosyphilis)
visual system (ocular syphilis)
auditory and/or vestibular system (otosyphilis).
These infections can cause a wide range of symptoms.3
Signs and symptoms of neurosyphilis can include:
severe headache;
trouble with muscle movements;
muscle weakness or paralysis (not able to move certain parts of the body);
numbness; and
changes in mental status (trouble focusing, confusion, personality change) and/or dementia (problems with memory, thinking, and/or making decisions).
Signs and symptoms of ocular syphilis can include:
eye pain or redness;
floating spots in the field of vision (“floaters”);
sensitivity to light; and
changes in vision (blurry vision or even blindness).