[Question #7950] Syphilis and antibiotics mask/delay
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50 months ago
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I am a man who received oral sex from an anonymous man almost 3 weeks ago. There was no reciprocation and it was over. He appeared very clean. 2 days later I got a raised red bump on the top pubic hairline. I thought it an ingrown hair but it didn’t pop. I did something I know i shouldn’t have and started taking antibiotics. I took 2gs of azithromycin and started taking amoxicillin 2 days later 875/3 times a day then moved to 1000 3 times a day for about a week. I took ampicillin 3grams at least twice during this period. It’s now almost 3 weeks (with daily antibiotics) and this bump is still there. It has a white looking inside but won’t pop. It doesn’t hurt but I’ve stabbed it and blood and some clear fluid come out but it healed and remained a “bump”. My question is am I just delaying a chancre? With the amount of antibiotics in my body when would a test be accurate for syphilis? What is the chance that I got one random oral sex and end up with syphilis?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
50 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
There is absolutely zero chance of syphilis. In the off chance you were exposed, the antibiotics you took would have aborted an incipient infection. And anyway, 2 days is far too soon for onset of a chancre, and your description also doesn't suggest it. You had an ingrown hair or pimple. There is no point in being tested for syphilis: the antibiotics would have prevented it from ever taking hold, even if you were exposed-- which is unlikely with oral sex.
So all is well, no chance of syphilis. I hope these comments have been helpful.
HHH, MD
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50 months ago
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I trust you guys so much and I’m so thankful that technology allows these interactions. Experts like yourselves would be impossible to get to in a town like mine. It’s unfortunate but our health clinics don’t even know what type of tests they administer (4th gen etc) and abide by outdated information. I digress.
Final questions-
should I continue on 1.5G of amoxicillin for the rest of this 3rd week
I’ve been picking and squeezing at this thing the entire time and no pimple has occurred. Should I just leave it alone and let it work itself out? It’s small and looks nothing like a chancre from the CDC and not ulcered.
Would you clear me for sex?
I thought if the “bump” showed up it meant it was to late to abort and thus treatment was likely to fail based on what I’ve read. I didn’t take any antibiotics until 2 days later after I saw the red bump (which was in a shaved area).
Thank you kindly.
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50 months ago
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Actually looking at the calendar I think it was more like 5- 8 days after that I saw the bump. I think this is still to soon from what I’ve read. Maybe started antibiotics within 8-9 days. Does this make much of a difference?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
50 months ago
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You should not have started amoxicillin or any other antibiotics. I recommend you take no more of this or any other.
Keep your hands off the bump. It's nothing serious -- but if it continues and you remain concerned, see a doctor. It has nothing to do with syphilis or any other STD, and nothing to do with our recent sexual exposure(s). Keep your hands totally off, no squeezing etc -- you may be making it last longer.
And no, the timing you describe makes no difference.
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50 months ago
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Ok, I understand I overthought it all. It’s basically gone at this point. Would you consider it safe for me to go back to oral sex without concern?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
50 months ago
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You needn't have stopped oral sex (or any other sex) -- and certainly it is safe to resume it now. Nothing to worry about!
That concludes this thread. Thanks again for your confidence in our services.
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