[Question #13074] Syphilis - timeframe
2 months ago
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Dear Doctor, following situation:
Got infected with syphilis on day 1 -> had unprotected vaginal sex with another person on day 5 (4 days later). How much sex partner from day 5 at risk?
Thanks
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
2 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thank you for an interesting question and situation.
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It would help to know more about your syphilis. Is the source of your infection certain? Did you develop a chancre or other symptoms that led to your diagnosis? When, i.e. how long after the exposure and after your subsequent vaginal sex event? What stage of syphilis did you have? How was your infection diagnosed -- blood test? Darkfield exam of chancre? What treatment were you given?
Pending those answers: In theory, syphilis is not transmissible until symptoms start -- usually meaning a syphilitic sore (chancre). However, it might sometimes be transmissible before then. Therefore the standard practice per public health STI clinics and most or all syphilis experts is that such persons -- including your vaginal sex partner -- should be treated to prevent development of syphilis. In other words, your vaginal sex partner should be considered to be at risk and must be treated with benzathine penicillin G (i.e. long acting penicillin by injection). That's also how you should have been treated.
Perhaps I will have more to say when you fill in the details. I hope these comments are helpful in the meantime.
HHH, MD
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2 months ago
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Hello Doctor H,
sorry for missing all information, I'm too anxious and in a bad state.
No positive diagnose until today.
The situation was as follows:
I had unprotected oral (around 2 Min) with a CSW in Asia (female).
5 Days after I had unprotected vaginal encounter with a female.
Did Urin PCR 14 days after for other STD, came out negative.
Can you give syphilis risk estimation for me and the female encounter after 5 days?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
2 months ago
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Wow -- your initial question was very misleading. You are seriously overreacting to what probably was a zero risk sexual exposure. The main STD of concern from the oral sex event was gonorrhea and maybe chlamyda, but your negative urine PCR 2 weeks later proves you didn't have either of them. The chance of syphilis probably was under one in a million. There is no rational reason for the level of anxiety you apparently have.
You probably have easy access to superb STD advice and clinical services. Australia's government funded sexual health centres are the world's very best network of STD/HIV clinical and prevention services. Contact your nearest SHC for world-class advice about future testing (e.g. maybe blood tests for HIV and syphilis in a few weeks). If you are in the Melbourne or Sydney areas, you have access to the best of the best. In the meantime, your vaginal sex partner a few days later is at little or no risk of any STD from you.
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2 months ago
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Dear Doctor H
Thank you for your estimation.
You said in your previous reply that me risk is probably very low but still saying I should contact clinic for future blood tests (hiv/syph). I’m a bit confused.
Is my chance high that both will come out negative after 6 weeks?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
2 months ago
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I suggested SHC services because anxious persons often are more reassured by negative test results than by professional advice; and truly expert in-person advice also may be helpful. It is almost certain that the results will be negative if you are tested at 6 weeks. If you decide to be tested and/or remain nervous about the situation, an SHC is an excellent resource for those tests and/or personal advice. It's up to you.
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.
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