syphilis and hiv

[oda123]

I had a high risk exposure(unprotected vaginal) back in February 2013. I received PEP for treatment and I had a negative test 3 months post pep. I think I also had a chancre in my mouth even though all I did was deep kissing.

Recently I have been having symptoms such as fever, sore throat, red spots all over body, fatigue

Initially I thought that these symptoms were ARS symptoms but I took antibiotics and the fever was gone so I dismissed this. Then syphilis came to my mind. It is now 4 months post exposure

My questions are:

1) Is it possible to pass or contract syphilis from deep kissing?

2)Does the use of antibiotics (namely augmentin) temporarily improves the symptoms of syphilis

3) what tests for syphilis are conclusive and when?

4)does augmentin alter test results and if so how long do I have to wait for it to clear out and thus receive accurate results?

5) I am taking augmentin and the red spots (slightly raised) are slowing fading but new ones are popping up(1 or 2). What does this mean?

Thank you for your time

[oda123]

Yes but is TPHA affected by antibiotics? : /

[Vance2335]

I see no reason for retesting.

Antibodies for syphilis is present for years after it is treated.

[oda123]

OK

Since I started antibiotics(augmentin 1g) on the 13th and finished on the 17th (little over 3 months post exposure) for the flu, should i get re-tested for syphilis(vdrl and tpha). I do not fully understand these two tests.

Will taking antibiotics alter test these results in any way? Since vdrl measures an 'active' infection this can obviously be affected by antibiotics.

What about TPHA? I have heard that TPHA stays positive after being infected even after treated, does this mean that I have no previous infection and thus i am syphilis-free?
Can this result be affected by antibiotics (assuming augmentin does actually have an effect)? What exactly does TPHA look for? (Since if it looks for antibodies then antibiotics will not affect test results)  

My doctor said that augmentin does not affect results but some surfing around the web shows that it does :/

I am sorry if I sound repetitive but I am confused

I promise this will be my final question

Thank you

[Vance2335]

False negatives after 6 weeks is never a concern.

[oda123]

Ok my tpha came back negative

Do I still have to worry about any false negatives?

[Vance2335]

You should ask your Dr. He/she would be a better resource to find out what interacted with what.

[oda123]

Everything came back negative(vdrl, anti hcv, hbv) but I am still waiting for my TPHA and my gonorrhea and chlamydia test results

I just now need to know if my use of augmentin 1g affected the vdrl test results? (My last dose was around 16 hours before the test)

This have been an eye-opening experience and I cannot thank you guys (and girls) enough (I may have seemed a bit rude and if that is the case then I am sorry)

[oda123]

Ok I will tomorrow

Thank you for all you guy's comments and I am very thankful

I will keep updating

[Vance2335]

1. No
2. ??

See a Dr and get an exam and get the testing done. Not much more we can tell you as we can't diagnosis you.

[oda123]

I am sorry to disturb all of you once again

One of my testicles have swollen but there is no pain
Over the past 4 months there have been one or two occasion of pain in urination but I have experienced this before(since i was a child)
I think there was also some cloudy discharge also this was also a one time occasion

My questions are:

1) Are my symptoms indicative of gonorrhea or chlamydia? (since the symptoms are not persistent)

2) I have heard of a drug-resistant strain of gonorrhea (super-gonorrhea). DoI have to worry about this?

[Vance2335]

Correct

[oda123]

Thank you

I do not have to worry transmitting chlamydia or gonorrhea via french kissing too is that correct?

I will be updating after my test results

[Vance2335]

1. Depends on what you are taking, some might, others might not.

2. Post in the HIV forum

3. No it does not happen in real life. Not from kissing.

[oda123]

Thanks for your helpful comments I can never be grateful enough. It's good to have someone to talk to during hard times

[oda123]

Yes I intend to do just that -

I would like to ask some questions:

1) Would antibiotics interfere with chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis results?

2) Is it possible that I can still have HIV even after a negative ag/ab 3 months post pep?

3) Syphilis is only *theoretically* transmittable via direct skin contact and french kissing correct? Does this apply in real life situations?

[gracefromHHP]

you need to have chlamydia, gonorrhea and trich testing done. also syphilis, herpes and hepatitis.

your providers have dropped the ball by not testing you properly. insist on the proper testing to protect your future fertility!!!

[oda123]

I meant pass on* syphilis.

Thanks for your input

[oda123]

I have only had HIV testing done. It was on two occasions at 2 weeks post pep(6 weeks post exposure) and 3 months post pep (4 months post exposure).

Is it possible that I can still have HIV even after a negative ag/ab 3 months post pep?

I know that it is unlikely that I will contract syphilis but some websites say that it can be passed on by direct skin contact and french kissing so I am not entirely sure

[gracefromHHP]

if you think holding hands is a risk for std's, perhaps you should do more reading on std's? www.ashastd.org has terrific info on all std's, how they are transmitted, when to test for them and how etc.

is it likely you have syphilis? no it is not. your symptoms also do not sound at all like syphilis going on.

what std testing did you have done so far since your encounter and when?

grace

[Life360_Dave]

no, hands have thick skin which make transmission not an issue

[oda123]

So even holding hands is a risk? I am sorry to bother you with these questions but stress anxiety and guilt have really been eating me up

[Life360_Dave]

RPR test first to detect anitbodies and if positive then a second test TPPA to confirm the results. Sores can be on any part of the body. French kissing is not the exposure issue but body to body contact. Syphilis sores on the mouth can occur  on the lips according to the CDC and deep french kissing is possible but rare according to the doctors here. Deep french kissing is more for Gono and chlamydia which are in the back throat mucus membranes.

[oda123]

Yes I understand.

However I do want to know which kind of tests are conclusive for syphilis and when

And most important of all:can it be contracted through french (tongue) kissing(I do know that in theory it is possible but what about in practice)

Thank you for your time

[Life360_Dave]

Hi and welcome. The best approach to all your questions since you have a concern is to have a test for syphilis. Testing times post exposure is 6 weeks.
Syphilis is contracted by coming in contact with a sore. Unprotected sex as well as protected sex puts a person at risk for syphilis, herpes and HPV.
Discuss your questions with the doctor if you decide to test.
Your symptoms dont seem std related but more of anxiety, a cold and stress.