[Question #12580] Secondary syphilis

6 months ago

Hi Drs, I know I have a history and have been away for almost a year.

But Dr Google brought me back.

I recently entered into a new relationship with a woman who’s 40. It’s been 3-4 months.

We have unprotected vaginal sex. We both haven’t been tested recently. Although I have been more recently than her.

I noticed a blemish on the sole of my left foot. Skin intact. Looks to be below the skin. 3 inches down from my pinky toe and about 2mm in diameter. That’s it. Just one.

I did have a headache for 2 days last week and waist pain that radiated down my legs.

1) that a sign of secondary syphilis?

2) does it cause pain in legs or waist?

3) would the rash be just one spot like that?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

6 months ago

Welcome back. But I have trouble imagining why syphilis is on your mind in this situation.

The skin rash of secondary syphilis would never cause a single skin "blemish". Syphilis also is not a plausible cause of headache or pain in the waist or legs.

Those comments answer your questions pretty well, but to be explicit the answers are no to all three questions.

Since you're concerned, the obvious solution is to have a blood test. If you do that, I would be happy to comment on the negative result to reconfirm you don't have syphilis. But I will have no other comments or advice until and unless you report a test result. In the meantime, I hope these comments are helpful.

HHH, MD

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