Exposed to syphilis. What about HIV?

A worker from the Texas State Department of Health left a note on my door a few days ago to call her immediately. She told me that I might have been exposed to syphilis and that I should get tested. I asked about HIV and she said that she only had information that I may have been exposed to syphilis. I contacted my ex-partner who I suspected had come down with syphilis and he confirmed that he did. He said that he knows he got it in October (we split in early August of this year). He said he tested negative for HIV and a few other STDs, but I don't trust him. Also, I learned that he snorts cocaine.

I had unprotected sex with my ex a handful of times and he pulled out before coming.

I got tested for both HIV and syphilis, but I am still waiting for results. I am a nervous wreck. Is it likely that the department of health would have received information on his HIV status and notified me to get tested if he were HIV positive? Do most people who have syphilis also have HIV?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the HIV forum.  I'll try to help.

In general terms, being exposed to syphilis indicates a potential risk for HIV.  All persons exposed to syphilis should be tested for HIV, as you were.  However, given that your partner with syphilis apparently has been tested recently for HIV with negative results, in your case the risk you caught HIV is zero or close to it.  Although having syphilis increases the chance someone also has HIV, most people with syphilis don't have HIV.  (Could he really have HIV and is lying about his test results?  Sure.  But most people don't lie when asked directly.)

So you can expect your HIV blood test to be negative.  Feel free to return and add a comment when you get the test result.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[extremelystressed]

I forgot to add that he supposedly got tested for HIV, syphilis, and other STDs before we had sex. He brought a card home from the clinic with an ID # and a phone number he was to call for a message about results. I called the number repeatedly for weeks, but there was never any message for his ID #.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This information doesn't change my assessment of your risk or my advice.