Can one have syphilis for 4years and not have any symptoms to alert him?

I want to know because a friend of mine was told she had syphilis and yet she had stayed for 4 years without having sex with anyone and had not been sick for the same period.When she went for a check up she was told that she had syphilis and put on medication is this posible? My friend accepted the status but came to me in confusion to ask whether to continue the medication or seek a second opinion.

According to the CDC "Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years". Also "most transmission is from persons who are unaware of their infection".
Also as far as the diagnosis goes there are two tests that are performed one is a preliminary test which if positive requires a confirmatory test (a VDRL). She would not have been told she was positive without the doctor having the results from both tests. Also these types of tests are normally sent out to research laboratories that specialize in running these tests so it's not very likely that a mistake was made. Strongly encourage her to complete the medication at this time as syphilis can have serious medical complications if left untreated.

usually it is not possible

mmmmmm, can be possible, but its like a comet hit the earth. Its a 1 in 1000000 possibilities. maybe she is dating with someone else. But, i dont mean nothing, just answering

It's quite possible.

The initial ulcer that syphylis causes may not be easily visible, especially in women.

The infection can also lie dormant for many years after and cause problems only later in life.

Strongly encourage her to complete her course of treatment.

some STD have subtle symtoms in different people and some may pass symtoms off for something else causing them not to seek assistance, but it can also be a mis-diagnosis. I would say to follow through with medication and be sure to get follow up exams (pap smear, etc).

Yes, it is possible. Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. It is easily treated with antibiotics (usually in the penicillin family).

There are three sequential stages of syphilis--the first stage is localized to the genital area and takes the form of a painless lesion called a chancre, and it is usually firm and raised. It may be ulcerated. After the first stage, it becomes latent and may remain asymptomatic for years. The second stage is characterized by a rash that classically starts in the palms and soles; active bacteria are present within the rash and the patient is infectious during this period. The disease may then become latent again, and the patient asymptomatic. The third stage of syphilis can involve other organ systems, including the eyes, brain/central nervous system, heart, bones, and joints. Cardiovascular and neurologic complications can be fatal (aneurysm of the ascending aorta, left heart failure, aortic valve regurgitation; tabes dorsalis, which is degeneration of the posterior colums and roots and ganglia of the spinal cord, leading to "lightning pain," urinary incontinence, ataxia, impaired position and vibratory sense, optic atrophy, hypotonia, and hyporeflexia).

So yes, it is highly advisable that your friend take the medication that has been prescribed, in order to prevent the complications of advancing syphilis. Latent syphilis is a well-known and well-described stage of the disease, and if she has tested positive, then she needs the appropriate treatment.

You can have syphilis for 4 or more years with no symptoms unless he was correctly treated, and then you still have the virus its just dormant for a while

something like 80% of women can have syphilis with no recognizable symptoms, and wont know they have it untill getting tested. As far as a second opinion thats probly not necessary because they would have done a lab test for it.