Dear doctor, 

I have a question about a possible infection with syphilis. 

On February 21, I dated a man (I am a man myself). We tongue kissed and jerked off together. 

What are the chances that I got infected with syphilis by jerking off together and each other? 

Two days ago I noticed a small red dot under my foreskin. This makes me worried about a possible infection. 

Thanks in advance! 

No STIs ever are transmitted by hand-genital contact, or so rarely the chance is zero for all practical purposes. And very rarely by kissing. A "red dot" doesn't sound at all like syphilis; assuming it doesn't enlarge and turn into an ulcer in the next couple of days, you can safely disregard syphilis. I'm guessing it's not new, just that you're more alert because of your anxieties about a sexual decision you may regret. If you like, you can be tested for syphilis in a few weeks, but that would be strictly for reassurance, not because of actual risk. You really needn't be worried.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

Dear Doctor,

Thank you very much for your answer!

I was a bit worried because it says on Belgian websites that syphilis can also be transmitted by mutual masturbtion.

So according to you I should not worry?

Not even in the following situation, for example:

Suppose my partner has a syphilis ulcer on the penis and I jerk him off and rub the ulcer with my hand. If I then pull myself off, with that hand, there is also no risk of transmission? 

So Syphilis, for example, can also not be transmitted if I only touch the ulcer, for example (without then touching my penis)?

Thanks in advance! 

It is the exact same color as the rest of my penis under my foreskin. It just look like a small white cirlce (maybe 1 mm big). Could this be the beginning of an ulcer?

Thanks in advance! 

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.