[Question #1218] Syphilis risk - transexual

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95 months ago
Dr Handsfield, dr Hook
Have been in potential contact (high risk transexual man to woman in the US) through being licked scrotum for 1 minute or less and anus for 10seconds or less
- Was finishing a 7 days amoxicillin before for throat infection
- After 8 days I went to urgent care and got tested for stds (all negative even if I know this was too early). They gave me a 14 day course of 100mg x2 daily but I only took it for 7 days to prevent syphilis.  No symptoms
- 23 days took another syphilis test - negative. (I know it's too early again)

What do you think are my chances of having caught syphilis in this incident and the chances of it not being cured/aborted by the antibiotics that I only took for 7 days? Should I get more testing?

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Edward W. Hook M.D.
95 months ago

Welcome to the Forum  it will be my pleasure to comment. this was q virtually no risk contact.  Even if your partner did happen to have syphilis, receipt of oral sex (scrotal licking or analingus) carries negligible risk for syphilis (or other STI) acquisition.  Further, in your specific case, the fact that would were taking amoxicillin at the time of your exposure would have prevented infection.  Finally, even if you had been in contact with syphilis, your course of doxycycline would have also prevented syphilis if exposed.

I see no reason at all for concern.  In fact, give the history that you have provided, I probably would not have suggested testing in the first place and I certainly see no reason for additional testing at this time.  You are in the clear. EWH  

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95 months ago
Thank you Dr hook. This is very helpful. I have been following you and dr handsfield for some time (including at medhelp). Very helpful work. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
95 months ago
Thanks for your thanks.  I'm pleased I could help.  EWH---
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95 months ago
Dr. One last question. You said that the fact that I was taking amoxicillin would prevent the infection but I also know that amoxicillin is not the antibiotic of choice for treating syphilis, is it not?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
95 months ago
Amoxicillin is not the drug recommended for Syphilis treatment but all penicillins have activity against the bacteria which cause the infection.  Further, there were small studies performed years ago I which amoxicillin was used to successfully treat Syphilis.  You have nothing to worry about, for ALL, of the reasons mentioned above.  EWH---