[Question #13246] Follow Up #13219
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1 months ago
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Sorry to follow up - trying to control my anxiety.
It's been 19 days since exposure - previous question I covered fear of HIV.
1. This morning I woke up and found a marking on the right rim of my penis. It is not fluid filled, not red, and not raised. No burning pee or swelling. It is more of a light punch out with a light white outlining - inside is the same color as the rest of my skin. It is less than half the size of a dime. It does not hurt to touch today - however I do remember some stinging yesterday. I have been masturbating more than normal because of anxiety and have a history of eczema.
Could syphillis show up this way? Could HSV show up this way? I was under the impression both would show up as a red papule to start. The urgent care couldn't answer this and ordered a test for syphillis and HSV.
Thanks again.
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1 months ago
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also (hopefully this doesn't count towards my replies) it seems the old question re-opened even though it was requested to delete
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry you felt the need and that you continue to be so anxious. The lesion you describe is certainly not HSV. Herpes lesions appear within 10 days of exposure, not later. As for syphilis, the lesion you describe sounds to be more likely due to your masturbation than syphilis. If you keep your ands off it, if due to masturbation it should improve over a day or two while if syphilis it would likely go on to form a shallow ulceration. Given your anxiety you may wish to see a trained clinician who could evaluate you however. EWH---
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1 months ago
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Thanks doctor for such a quick response - this forum has helped me tremendously. The anxiety is mostly from the appearance of this. I did go to an urgent care - I'm mostly trying to compare your knowledge with their general lack of guidance.
1. For syphilis - what would I expect it to look like? Red? Raised? Filled? How many days after exposure would a blood test be conclusive?
2. The urgent care provider ordered the HSV test without consulting me. I'm unsure what to do now - I'm trying to cancel it but should I just ignore the results of the test if I don't get any painful sores?
3. Thanks - is that last recommendation for anxiety or for STI?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
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I’ll point out that had your question been assigned to Dr. Handsfield he could not have seen my earlier response which would be deleterious to you. That said, I have deleted your original question again.
1. Syphilis blood tests are not reliable until 6 weeks or, if a lesion is present, 4-5 days after appearance of a lesion. Lesions start as a firm papule which go on to ulcerate within a day or two of appearance.
2. If it was a herpes blood test it will be of little use and results should be ignored. If it was a PCR swab test, a negative result will offer proof that the lesion was not herpes?
3. Yes
One follow up remaining. EWH
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1 months ago
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1. Thanks - sorry to be specific: by ulcerate this would show up as an open wound? Is it possible for the skin not to break open (like with what I am seeing now?)
2. Thanks - they would not swab it because there was no "head" or "opening" to swab.
3. Thanks - I assume this means both haha. Sorry to be pedantic - just dealing with anxiety.
From what it sounds like - you would not consider this a STI? Especially Herpes or Syphillis? (I will continue to get follow up tests)
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1 months ago
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sorry I forgot to add - is there any rush to get penicillin if it is syphillis? One of the nurses said she would just get the penicillin shot now. I'm mostly worried about allowing the infection to continue.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
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Final answers. There should be no need to return.
1. An ulcer is an open wound, not an open cur.
2. So it was a blood test. This will be of little help. Blood tests at this time are of little help.
3. Yes both.
If you have syphilis you should be treated. There is no reason to think that you have syphilis and no evidence that this is the case. Try to relax.
End of thread. EWH
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