[Question #7749] Oral and syphilis

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53 months ago
Hi
I'm bisexual male     in the last Yr I have met 3 different men for kissing and oral mainly on me 
After each time I always tested for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia    and everytime was negative 
The last exposure last Yr was early November 
This Yr I had a brief exposure February 9
Again I tested clear  and tested Hiv clear too

Over the weekend my wife told me she had a small sausage like bump under her skin on her groin area    not inside the vagina
Now I'm freaking out that she may have Syphilis from me
I have no symptoms or Chancre 

Help
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
53 months ago
Welcome back to the forum.

This doesn't sound at all like syphilis in your wife. (Or any other STD..) And with your main exposure being oral sex on you, if you had acquired syphilis, you probably would have had an easily visible chancre -- the initial sore of syphilis -- on your penis. Since that didn't happen, it is very unlikely you have it. The way to sort this out is to have a syphilis blood test -- which should be done anyway from time to time in all men who have sex with other men. You can expect a negative result. The standard initial blood tests are an RPR test or an ELISA for IgG antibody -- either of these would be conclusive at this time, i.e. more than 6 weeks after your last possible exposure.

I'll be happy to comment further if you get tested and would like to let me know the result. In the meantime, don't be worried:  the chance of a positive result is very low.

HHH, MD
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52 months ago
Hi Dr  I got the result of a blood test from a encounter I had on feb9 2021   it was negative as you said it it would be    did I wait enough time for testing    still no symptoms
Kind regards 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
52 months ago
If the test was done the week of April 19, it was 6 weeks after Feb 9 and therefore the negative result is conclusive. Glad to hear it -- but of course not surprised!

I hope the discussion was useful. Take care and stay safe.
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