[Question #946] Syphilis Concern

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100 months ago
Doctor-

I am a man and 6 months ago I engaged in unprotected oral for a minute and protected vaginal with a csw. I really don't remember having any chancre. My Doctor did an RPR test at two weeks post which I know isn't conclusive. Also, a few days post exposure I was on a 7 day period of doxycycline twice daily as precaution for other stds which my doctor gave me. I haven't noticed any rash. I do get hives for like an hour sometimes because I think I'm just anxious. I also get these bumps on my scalp and my Doctor took a culture and I have yeast overgrowth. He didn't mention anything abour syphillis. Any advice on my exposure? 

FYI I had a three month hiv test which was negative. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. There is virtually no risk that you have syphilis from the encounter that you describe. Syphilis is a relatively rare infection, condoms offer very good protection if your partner was infected, and acquisition of syphilis from receipt of unprotected sex is extraordinarily rare. Further the 7 days of doxycycline that you took would have prevented syphilis if you had been exposed.  The scalp bumps and hives that you describe are not particularly suggestive of syphilis and given the other facts surrounding the encounter that you describe, I see absolutely no reason for you to be worried about syphilis.   No need for additional testing as well.

I hope these comments are helpful.  EWH

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100 months ago
Thank you Doctor. Would there be any other std concern if I told you my significant other also has some weird red spots on her scalp? I was just worried about syphillis due to the fact that online it says a symptom can be alopecia. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago
No, I would not be concerned.  Alopecia is hair loss, not red spots and is rare.  no need to worry, really.  EWH
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100 months ago
Ok thank you Doctor. I will put this behind me. Last question, is secondary syphillis even starting at 6 months rare? Thanks for everything. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago

Syphilis itself is rather rare in the United States, fewer than 15,000 new cases in a country of 350,000,000.  Further, about 2/3 of syphilis now occurs among men who have sex with men..  Finally, as I informed you, the antibiotics you took would have reliably prevented syphilis in the extraordinarily low chance that you were exposed to syphilis. You need to stop worrying and move on.

This is my third reply to your questions therefore, as per Forum Guidelines, this thread will be closed later this evening.  EWH


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100 months ago
Thank you Doctor.