[Question #13364] #13327 Syphillis Questions

4 months ago

#13327 Sorry to be back I promise this will be my final post, And won’t be back any more as I plan not to put myself in these situations ever again.

I decided to get tested on day 7th of post exposure, Gonorrhea Chlamydia negative and Syphillis both RPR and TPPA negative and HIV negative.

However I am aware it takes 6 weeks for syphillis to appear on blood test as well as HIV,

The clinic prescribed me doxycycline just for preventive on day 7th post exposure, I am on day 6 taking doxycycline it has been 13 days from exposure will doxycycline prevent me developing a chancre? Let’s assume the transgender that licked the tip of my penis and licked my shaft and wrapped her lips around head for 5-10 seconds max had a tongue chancre or lip chancre. Will I still develop a chancre or will the doxy prevent it from developing ? Even though I’m barely on day 6 of doxy and 13 days post exposure, I plan on taking it for the full 14 days. However I also wanted to know if I am currently putting my spouse to risk ? Can I be infectious without a chancre ? Can a chancre be so small that I can’t see it on my penis but still infectious ? My fear is that I can be infectious, But will never go on to develop a positive blood test due to doxy I’m taking but fear I may infect my spouse. Like I said I been looking closely and don’t see any sore on my penis.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

4 months ago

You were advised last time that you were not at risk for syphilis or any other STI from the exposure described. I have to believe you requested doxycycline (and maybe insisted on it or exaggerated your exposure); no STI experienced clinician would be likely to have recommended it if they understood the situation. In any case, you cannot now have syphilis -- even if exposed -- the doxycycline you took is 100% effective in preventing syphilis. You cannot transmit syphilis even if you were exposed and your spouse is not at risk. You will never develop a chancre (syphilitic sore).

There will be no opportunity for discussion. Your previous thread ended with "If you decide to be tested, DO NOT RETURN to tell us the results or with any further questions about this exposure.... repeated anxiety driven questions may be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee." That is definitely what will happen, without even this much reply, if you post anything else about this exposure and your irrational fears.

HHH, MD

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