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Oral and syphilis question
I apologize for bothering you with a somewhat unique question.
I went to the dermatologist about two weeks ago because there was something small on the neck of my glans. It didn’t look like any STI and I have never had unprotected sex, but I have had unprotected oral. The PA who saw me thought it was likely just an irritation or maybe lichen sclerosis and prescribed clobatesol which worked (so it wasn’t lichen sclerosis). What has freaked me out is that his supervising Dr., who did not see me, had him call me after they consulted to get tested for syphilis even though it looked nothing like a chancre because the doctor does that for all lesions in the genitals and told him syphilis is “the great imitator.” I went for the test about 9-10 days after the lesion appeared and it was negative. Today I went for my follow up dermatology visit and the clebatosol had cleared it up. The PA said while clebatasol could clear even a chancre it is very unlikely that this was a chancre anyway.
I have read on here that syphilis is unlikely, but possible, from unprotected oral. No one I have had unprotected oral with had any sort of lesion on their mouths, but of course I couldn’t see the inside of their mouth clearly. The lesion looked nothing like a chancre. What is my risk given the above? Would the test 9-10 days after the lesion appeared be reasonably determinative? How likely is it that syphilis from unprotected oral could happen with no visible lesion on the mouth of the person giving the oral? I feel like I am maybe just being neurotic but I am not sure.
I went to the dermatologist about two weeks ago because there was something small on the neck of my glans. It didn’t look like any STI and I have never had unprotected sex, but I have had unprotected oral. The PA who saw me thought it was likely just an irritation or maybe lichen sclerosis and prescribed clobatesol which worked (so it wasn’t lichen sclerosis). What has freaked me out is that his supervising Dr., who did not see me, had him call me after they consulted to get tested for syphilis even though it looked nothing like a chancre because the doctor does that for all lesions in the genitals and told him syphilis is “the great imitator.” I went for the test about 9-10 days after the lesion appeared and it was negative. Today I went for my follow up dermatology visit and the clebatosol had cleared it up. The PA said while clebatasol could clear even a chancre it is very unlikely that this was a chancre anyway.
I have read on here that syphilis is unlikely, but possible, from unprotected oral. No one I have had unprotected oral with had any sort of lesion on their mouths, but of course I couldn’t see the inside of their mouth clearly. The lesion looked nothing like a chancre. What is my risk given the above? Would the test 9-10 days after the lesion appeared be reasonably determinative? How likely is it that syphilis from unprotected oral could happen with no visible lesion on the mouth of the person giving the oral? I feel like I am maybe just being neurotic but I am not sure.
COMMUNITY LEADER
So you aren't neurotic, but the doctor is.
Yes, syphilis has been known as the "great imitator", but syphilis is uncommon in developed countries, like the US, Canada, UK, countries in Europe, etc.
Testing everyone with any kind of anything is overkill and fear mongering and a waste of time and resources and health care dollars.
In any case, you don't say when your most recent exposure was, or how long after it that the spot appeared, so I can't say how accurate the test was. Do you know what type of test you had done? That would also help.
How long did you have the spot? How long did it take for the cream to work?
Chances are excellent that this isn't syphilis, but I can't give you more definitive info with the info you've given.
Yes, syphilis has been known as the "great imitator", but syphilis is uncommon in developed countries, like the US, Canada, UK, countries in Europe, etc.
Testing everyone with any kind of anything is overkill and fear mongering and a waste of time and resources and health care dollars.
In any case, you don't say when your most recent exposure was, or how long after it that the spot appeared, so I can't say how accurate the test was. Do you know what type of test you had done? That would also help.
How long did you have the spot? How long did it take for the cream to work?
Chances are excellent that this isn't syphilis, but I can't give you more definitive info with the info you've given.
4 Comments
Thank you for replying so quickly! My last exposure was on June 6 and I noticed the spot around July 11 or 12 and the test was on July 21. So the test was about 44-45 days after my last exposure. The test is called an Syphilis IGG AB with Reflex.
From when I noticed the spot until I started the cream was about one week or 8 days. The cream got rid of it in 10 days to two weeks, but it started working a bit almost immediately.
From when I noticed the spot until I started the cream was about one week or 8 days. The cream got rid of it in 10 days to two weeks, but it started working a bit almost immediately.
Okay, so a syphilis sore will appear between 10 and 90 days, with an average of 3 weeks. It lasts 3-6 weeks without treatment, which is penicillin.
Your Syphilis IgG AB test is about 88% accurate at 4 weeks, and almost all will test positive at 6 weeks. I'd say yours is conclusive.
Your doctor scared you for no real reason. :(
Your Syphilis IgG AB test is about 88% accurate at 4 weeks, and almost all will test positive at 6 weeks. I'd say yours is conclusive.
Your doctor scared you for no real reason. :(
Thank you! You are the best!
You're welcome :)
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You are reading content posted in the STDs / STIs Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
