[Question #10404] Syphillis worry
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23 months ago
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31.08.23 I recieved a massage from an Asian lady that resulted in light body to body and handjob finish. She was on top of me naked. kissed me and as she was hovering over me when I felt a v.brief touch to my penis(almost certain foreskin) which she then moved away from my genitals. There was no rubbing or friction at any point. It was like an accidental gentle touch for a few seconds. I noticed I was a little sore on 09.09.23 mild pain like a shaving nick(haven't shaved) or cut near my scrotum. I saw a small red bump/mark that did open to like a break in the skin. It went away and non exsistent by 3 days. My first fear was syphillis. Am I right in saying to get skin to skin syphillis it takes a bit of sexual friction? Paranoid and not wanting our genitals to touch I certainly feel I'd remember if they did where the mark,sore was. Since then I've noticed lymph node on my neck raise(same place as before when i was ill),sore throat etc. Again am I right in saying if nymph lodes were raised it would have been localized in my groin? If it wasn't for the small sore, I wouldn't be worried.
Giving a self assessment on myself it doesn't add up, sore was too soon, cleared up too soon, transmission may not be possible by what happened etc.
Just wondering if you could give me more light on my risk as I am on holiday next week, and it's made me completely paranoid and stressed. I just want to move on and stop doing this.
Thank you.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum and thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. The exposure you describe was virtually no risk for the most common STIs (I'll comment on syphilis below) was zero. Without penetration there is no risk for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia or other STIs.
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As you know, syphilis can be transmitted without penetrative sex however your risk for syphilis is likewise virtually zero. There are several reasons that I say this:
1. Most masseuses'/CSWs do not have syphilis (it's bad for business)
2, You are correct that the friction of sexual contact plays an important role in transmission of syphilis. Light/gentle contact is insufficient to transmit syphilis.
3. The area of contact you describe is not the area where your lesion occurred.
4. The lesion you describe occurred too soon to be typical of syphilis- the average time for appearance of a syphilis lesion is 21 days. Thus 10 days is quite early for a syphilis lesion to appear.
5. A syphilis lesion would not resolve over just three days
6. If you were going to develop meaningful lymph node swelling (remember, most people have lymph nodes which can be felt if one looks for the), it would be in your groin, not your neck
Bottom line. I am confident that this is not syphilis. If you wish further proof (which personally I do not think is needed), if the lesion were due to syphilis, a blood test would be positive at this time. Again, I do not think testing is needed however unless my explanations do not fully address your concerns.
Hope this helps. EWH
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23 months ago
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Thank you Dr Hook for your kind response. Your comments reassue me and a massive relief. I thought as much but the fact I got a sore just made me worry. It was small and it hurt like a cut, so mild pain but I felt it. Am I also right in saying Syphillis chances are painless? So the chance I, 1. Got Syphillis from brief, light touching 2. Had a sore appear 9-10 days after. 3. The fact it was painless and small, and finally 4 have it go after 3-5 days makes near enough a zero possibility? I understand why you don't allow pictures and you're not in a position to diagnose, but stab in the dark, what could it be? It looked like a red sore/line and sometimes looked oval with a slight opening. I've never had a std or herpes in the genitals but I've always had cold sores and the sore didn't tingle like herpes. Just a very mild sore. It also didn't feel hard or stuck out. Thank you again and your professional advice will help me put this to bed.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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You are correct. The sores caused by Syphilis are typically painless.
Your summary of my reasoning is correct.
Sorry, I can’t venture a guess as to what the lesion you noted was but I certainly wouldn’t be worried about syphilis. EWH
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23 months ago
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I promise this is the last response. Reading through my first question I failed to explain my penis tip(I think foreskin) briefly touched her vagina. My wording wasn't clear. I assume the above still stands. Thank you again for your help.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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You stated that your foreskin touched her genital area and your statement regarding the tip of your penis is not very different.. You are correct, your clarification in no way changes my assessment. I really would not worry about Syphilis.
As you know, we provide up to three responses to each clients question. As this is my third response, this thread will be closed shortly without further responses. EWH.
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