[Question #13157] Syphilis Scare: Please advise
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2 months ago
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ear Doctors,
my situation: received unprotected oral from a CSW(female) in Brazil.
Getting super anxious, I decided to do a urine test for Tripper, Chlamydia - negative on day 16 after exposure.
Now I have a huge Syphilis Scare and have the following questions:
1) I did tests with CLIA method (only this is available here) on days 25, 32, 39 and 45 after exposure -> all negative. Are these results conclusive?
2) What is your estimation for my initial risk -> unprotected oral from a csw in South America
3) What is the chance that if I do another test after 8 weeks it becomes positive?
4) When can I return to unprotected sex (with healthy persons)
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
2 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I’ll be glad to comment. Before I answer your specific questions, a few comments. Most commercial sex workers do not have STIs and when they do, oral infections are relatively uncommon. Further, even when a partner is infected, most exposures do not result in infection. Your risk of infection was low. In answer to your questions:
1. Your tests prove you were not infected with syphilis. If you were going to develop a lesion it would have occurred by now and your 39 and 45 day results prove you were not infected. The CLIA test is highly reliable and your multiple negative tests rule out the possibility of a falsely negative test.
2. See above. Your risk from the exposure you describe was low.
3. Zero. Further testing is not needed. The results will not change.
4. You can certainly resume unprotected sex with regular partners at this time.
I hope this information is helpful. You are in the clear. EWH
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