The time it takes for syphilis to reach stage 3 varies from person to person, and can range from as early as 2 years to as late as 20 years later. Syphilis is divided into early syphilis and late syphilis according to the course of the disease, with early syphilis being stage I and stage II syphilis, of which stage I syphilis is characterized by a hard chancre and sclerosing lymphadenitis, which can last for 3 to 4 weeks or more without treatment, and can subside after 1 to 2 weeks if treated; sclerosing lymphadenitis usually occurs 1 to 2 weeks after the hard chancre. Stage II syphilis usually presents with a syphilitic rash and skin and mucous membrane damage, and usually occurs 6-8 weeks after the sclerosing chancre has subsided. Stage III syphilis can appear on average in 3-4 years, as early as 2 years and as late as 20 years, when symptoms such as nodular syphilitic rash, syphilitic dendritis, bone syphilis, ocular syphilis, and neurosyphilis can appear. When suffering from syphilis, it should be treated as soon as possible, so as not to develop into an advanced stage and jeopardize life and health.