[Question #10156] Syphillis question
25 months ago
|
Hello doctors.
I have a new partner and before any sexual contact i urged both of us to get tested and we did (Rapid HIV&Syphillis INSTI test, rapid HCV test and PCR for gonoand chlam.) A few weeks after many of our "plays" i developed something on upper side of index finger. It was painless, raised edges and had a wet center. It went away in 5 weeks with no scar. A week before it ended i went again for the rapid test which was negative, after that i went for TP EIA at 7 weeks-negative. The last test was rapid test 4 months after that thing developed - negative, but i started to have some desquamation on my palms which was not healing. In the meantime i was diagnosed with Helicobacter Pylori infection and was perscribed AmoxClav and Metronidazole.
After finishing that therapy i developed urticarian itchy rash on both sides of torso, reddish dots that come and go on my arms and chest, and red dots on my palms which come and go away completely. Rashes are still present 5 days after finishing the antibiotics.
Can pimary Syphillis develop on finger while being absent on the genital area?
Could this reaction be related to Syphillis?
Are rapid tests for Syphillis good enough, or should i retest with laboratory test?
Thank you!
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
|
Welcome to the Forum. thanks for your questions. your strategy of both getting tested early in your relationship is a great way to start an ongoing relationship in on solid, trusting footing. I presume your partner was negative for syphilis and other STIs- if so, you are not at risk for syphilis through this relationship as long as you maintain monogamy.
In answer to your question a primary syphilis lesion can develop at any site where there is direct contact with an infectious lesion. Not all contacts result in infection but this is the way syphilis is transmitted- through direct contact. Once lesions are present, blood tests, rapid or otherwise are positive within a few days of the appearance of the lesion. Your negative tests prove that the lesion on your finger was not due to syphilis. Both your rapid tests and your TP EAI tests prove this.
Regarding your rash, amoxicillin not uncommonly causes a rash- this may be the culprit for your rash, not syphilis.
I would not be concerned that the lesion on your finger, or the rash were due to syphilis. EWH
---
25 months ago
|
Hello Dr. Hook, and thank You for your answer.
Yes, my first thought was that this rash was some form of reaction to amoxicilline , however it was weird for me that it appeared after the treatment completed and is still ongoing.
That is why i thought that Syphillis could be the cause for it, although my guess is that it wouldnt cause an itchy and dissapearing/ reappearing rash? I don't know if im right.
Another thing that was suspicious to me is that i never had a reaction like this to those antibiotics, however I was never put on 2 antibiotics at once.
So, If I got it correctly, the rapid test at 4 months after that wannabe chancre is enough to dismiss Syphillis as the cause?
I will try to work it out with my dermatologist by the end of this week.
Thank You again.
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
|
Amoxyciiin rashes can occur after as well as during therapy. further, it would be extraordinary for syphilis to become clinically apparent while or immediately after a person took amoxycillin.
You can be 100% confident that you do not have syphilis. EWH
---
25 months ago
|
Thank you for your clarification. The rash seems to get better with antihistamine and emolient cream.
One more question about the dots on my palms.:
If caused (i know its not) by Syphillis, then the lesions on palms would persist and not go away after few hours?
Thank You!
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
|
As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client's questions. This is my 3rd response. Thus this thread will be closed shortly after the response is posted
---
Correct. Syphilis rashes typically do not last for just a few hours- they tend to persist. If untreated the rash may resolve but the process of resolution takes weeks
Take care. Please don't worry. EWH