Search
Site Search
About CHAM
Who We Are
Our Mission
Our Values
Standards of Excellence
CHAM Leadership
In the Community
News
Community Events
Inside CHAM
CHAM Connections
CHAM Mentions
Patient Stories
Bronx Locations
US News & World Report
Health Library
Patient Health Library
Refer a Patient
Find a Doctor
Find a Clinical Trial
SIGN IN TO MYCHART
Ways to Give
Volunteer
Volunteering at CHAM
Why Support Montefiore
Donate
Toggle menu
Specialties & Programs
Pediatric Specialties
Cardiology (Stage-Test)
Gastroenterology Option A
Gastroenterology Option B
View Specialties
Adolescent Medicine (Gynecology, Menstrual disorders, Contraception, Eating disorders, Obesity)
Allergy and Immunology
Anesthesiology
Cardiology (Heart)
Cardiothoracic Surgery (Heart)
Craniofacial Surgery
Critical Care Medicine
Dentistry
Dermatology (Skin Disorders)
Developmental Medicine (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Autism, ADHD, Developmental Delays and Mental Health)
Emergency Medicine
Endocrinology & Diabetes
Fetal Medicine (High Risk OB/GYN)
Gastroenterology and Nutrition (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Disease, Liver Transplant)
General Pediatrics (Academic General Pediatrics)
Genetics (Inherited Diseases, Rare Diseases, Genetic Counseling)
Heart
Hematology and Oncology (Cancer, Sickle Cell Disease, Bleeding Disorders)
Hepatology (Liver Disease)
Hospital Medicine
Infectious Disease (Vaccines, Complex Infection and Antibiotic Management)
Neonatology (Premature and Sick Newborn Care)
Nephrology (Kidney Disease, Hypertension, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant)
Neurology (Seizures, Neuromuscular and Brain Diseases, Muscular Dystrophy, Rhett Syndrome)
Neurosurgery
Ophthalmology (Eye and Vision)
Orthopaedics (Bones and Joints)
Otolaryngology (Ears, Nose, Throat)
Plastic Surgery
Psychiatry (Therapy for Mental Health Problems, Depression, Psychiatric Diseases)
Radiology,X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT, interventional procedures
Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (Lung and Breathing Problems, Asthma, Sleep Apnea)
Rheumatology (Lupus, Juvenile Arthritis, Childhood Autoimmune Diseases)
Surgery
Urology (Kidney, Ureter and Bladder)
PROGRAMS & CENTERS
View All Programs & Centers >
For Patients & Families
Getting Here
Your Hospital Visit
Neighborhood Services
Visitors
Community Events
Support Services
Paying For Your Visit
FAQs
Find A Doctor
Get Directions
Patient Stories
For Health
Professionals
Refer A Patient
Residency and Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Nursing At CHAM
Grand Rounds
Careers
L.E.A.D. Program
Staff & Alumni Association
Quality & Performance Improvement
CHAM Leadership
Medical Student Education
Clinical Pathways
Research
Child Health Research at CHAM
Improving Child Health Across Disciplines
Clinical Trials
Albert Einstein College Of Medicine
Preventive Intervention Research Center for Child Health (PIRC)
Home
Health Library
Share
Health Library
<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeFocus HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">Neurosyphilis</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw195457-sec"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="b4cb0a40" fingerprint-exact="e7c3d1bb">Overview</h2> <figure class="HwMedicalImage HwMedicalImageWrapper hw-medical-figure HwMedicalImageOptional" data-hw-width="368"><img class="HwMedicalImage" data-hw-resource-path="media/medical/hw/bld077624_kb.jpg" data-hw-height="240" data-hw-width="368" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/medical/hw/bld077624_kb.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/medical/hw/bld077624_kb.jpg" alt hw:release-quarter="14.3"></figure> <p fingerprint="aeb8b53b" fingerprint-exact="fe90f751">Neurosyphilis refers to the infection of the brain and spinal cord by the <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sts15389" data-hw-section="sts15389-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sts15389" data-hwid="sts15389" hw:section-href="sts15389-sec" href="?id=sts15389#sts15389-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">syphilis</span></a> bacteria. This can lead to destruction in many areas of the <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stn166121" data-hw-section="stn166121-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stn166121" data-hwid="stn166121" hw:section-href="stn166121-sec" href="?id=stn166121#stn166121-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">nervous system</span></a>, causing loss of function of a person's arms or legs, loss of vision, and altered mental abilities. Neurosyphilis can affect many different body systems and may develop over an extended period of time. </p> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="0158118f" fingerprint-exact="48c5fdf6">What are the symptoms of neurosyphilis?</h3> <p fingerprint="fd2441d0" fingerprint-exact="ac19a670">Common symptoms of neurosyphilis include:</p> <ul fingerprint="fd49963b" fingerprint-exact="a3d351d2"> <li>Headaches. </li> <li>Confusion.</li> <li>Nausea and vomiting.</li> <li>A stiff neck.</li> <li>Vision problems. </li> <li>Hearing loss. </li> <li>Dizziness.</li> <li>Personality changes. </li> <li>Memory loss. </li> </ul> <p fingerprint="526f70a8" fingerprint-exact="a295b035">In some cases, neurosyphilis doesn't cause symptoms. </p> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="054b6bc2" fingerprint-exact="8a617a8b">How is neurosyphilis treated?</h3> <p fingerprint="57089f17" fingerprint-exact="68e94601"> <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sta123268" data-hw-section="sta123268-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sta123268" data-hwid="sta123268" hw:section-href="sta123268-sec" href="?id=sta123268#sta123268-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">Antibiotic</span></a> treatment cures the syphilis infection and stops the progress of neurosyphilis. But the damage that has already occurred may not be reversed. </p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-hw195457-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="0d504600" fingerprint-exact="c50e8e42"><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="pl1021" data-hw-section="pl1022" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="pl1021" data-hwid="pl1021" hw:section-href="pl1022" href="?id=pl1021#pl1022">Antibiotics</a></li><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Major" data-hw-document-href="hw195071" data-hw-section="acm8890" hw:document-type="Major" hw:document-href="hw195071" data-hwid="hw195071" hw:section-href="acm8890" href="?id=hw195071#acm8890">Syphilis</a></li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwCreditsSection HwCreditsWithoutNavstack HwSectionCredits" id="sec-hw195457-Credits"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Credits</h2><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span> April 30, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</span></a><br><span><b><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Clinical Review Board</span></a></b></span><br>All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigation"><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:block" id="secNav-hw195457-sec"><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNext"><p>Next Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="hw195457" data-hw-section="hw195457-RelInfo" id="nextLink-hw195457-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="hw195457" data-hwid="hw195457" hw:section-href="hw195457-RelInfo" href="?id=hw195457#hw195457-RelInfo">Related Information</a><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true"> »</span></div><div class="HwClear"> </div></div><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:none" id="secNav-hw195457-RelInfo"><div class="HwContentNavigationPrev"><p>Previous Section: </p><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true">« </span><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="hw195457" data-hw-section="hw195457-sec" id="prevLink-hw195457-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="hw195457" data-hwid="hw195457" hw:section-href="hw195457-sec" href="?id=hw195457#hw195457-sec">Overview</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNext"><p>Next Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="hw195457" data-hw-section="hw195457-Credits" id="nextLink-hw195457-Credits" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="hw195457" data-hwid="hw195457" hw:section-href="hw195457-Credits" href="?id=hw195457#hw195457-Credits">Credits</a><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true"> »</span></div><div class="HwClear"> </div></div><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:none" id="secNav-hw195457-Credits"><div class="HwContentNavigationPrev"><p>Previous Section: </p><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true">« </span><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="hw195457" data-hw-section="hw195457-RelInfo" id="prevLink-hw195457-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="hw195457" data-hwid="hw195457" hw:section-href="hw195457-RelInfo" href="?id=hw195457#hw195457-RelInfo">Related Information</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div><div class="HwClear"> </div></div></div><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span>April 30, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</a></p><p><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><span><b>Clinical Review Board</b></span></a><br>All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar2"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationTop"> </div><div class="HwElement" id="HwNavigationWrapper"><div class="HwNavigation" id="HwNavigation" role="navigation"><h3 class="HwNavStackHeader" id="HwNavStackHeader">Topic Contents</h3><ul aria-labelledby="HwNavStackHeader"><li id="nav-hw195457-sec"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="hw195457" data-hw-section="hw195457-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="hw195457" data-hwid="hw195457" hw:section-href="hw195457-sec" href="?id=hw195457#hw195457-sec">Overview</a></li><li id="nav-hw195457-RelInfo"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="hw195457" data-hw-section="hw195457-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="hw195457" data-hwid="hw195457" hw:section-href="hw195457-RelInfo" href="?id=hw195457#hw195457-RelInfo">Related Information</a></li><li id="nav-hw195457-Credits"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="hw195457" data-hw-section="hw195457-Credits" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="hw195457" data-hwid="hw195457" hw:section-href="hw195457-Credits" href="?id=hw195457#hw195457-Credits">Credits</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="HwNavigationWrapper HwNavigationEmpty"> </div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationBottom"> </div></div></div></div><div class="HwBlock" id="HwFooter"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwCustom HwColumn" id="HwCustomFooterLeft"> </div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwFooterLegal"><div class="HwLegal HwElement" role="contentinfo"><div class="HwLogo"><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><img class="HwNoHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><img class="HwHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a></div><div class="HwDisclaimer"><p>This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the <a href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/terms.aspx">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/privacy.aspx">Privacy Policy</a>. Learn <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">how we develop our content</a>.</p></div><div class="HwOptionalLogo"><div class="HwLogo"><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><img class="HwNoHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><img class="HwHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a></div></div><div class="HwCopyright"><p class="HwCopyrightLink">To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit <a href="https://www.webmdignite.com/">webmdignite.com</a>. </p><p>© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.</p></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom HwColumn" id="HwCustomFooterRight"> </div></div></div><div class="HwCustom HwBlock" id="HwCustomFooter"> </div></div>