A patient has been diagnosed with primary syphilis (Stage I). When assessing the patient, which of these findings will the healthcare provider anticipate?

Although there may be multiple sores, the first indication someone is in the primary stage of syphilis is the appearance of a single chancre, which is a round, firm, and painless sore found at the location where syphilis entered the body. Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum, and typically follows a progression of stages, including a latent stage, that can last for weeks, months, or years. Syphilis is easily cured with antibiotics.