Secondary syphilis presenting as fever of unknown origin

Abstract

Key Clinical Message A thirty‐eight year‐old male presented with a seven‐week history of persistent fever accompanied by recurrent night sweats, chills, arthralgias, headache, and chest tightness.Initial laboratory testing showed non‐specific elevation of inflammatory markers, but was otherwise unremarkable.A palmar rash developed one week later, prompting testing for syphilis. Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA‐ABS) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests were both positive.Penicillin G was administered and the patient recovered uneventfully.Our case emphasizes the need for increased syphilis screening to ensure proper diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Keywords

• communicable diseases
• fever of unknown origin
• syphilis
• Treponema pallidum