Did I?????

I recently had unprotected sex and I am in a committed relationship.  My sex consisted of oral and vaginal unprotected.  I live in San Diego along the border and the girl was of Hispanic decent. I was drinking, (body shots) got carried away.    She says she was clean, but my man concern is syphilis. I know her through a friend, so I am a bit concerned but not overly.  The event was about ten days ago, I had a sore and I am not sure if it was there before the incedent or not  My understanding is that doxycycline can cure syphilis and calmydia too. Would a dose of 100mg twice a day for 10 days take care of my syphilis issues, if I had any to worry about.  I have no other issues, like burning while urinating so, not to concerned with the other std's  of yet.   Thank you for your time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

We urge you have not to treat yourself unless you have a medical diagnosis for your problem.  To do otherwise is likely to be unsuccessful and to confuse things.  

Your risk of syphilis from the exposure you describe is low.  Syphilis is a rare disease.  If you have a genital sore which has been present for more than two or three days, a syphilis blood test will be negative.  If you are in this situation and have a negative blood test, you do not need to worry about syphilis.  If the sore is also present you could also be tested with a herpes culture- these are the two main causes of genital ulcers (sores).  

Doxycycline can cure syphilis but the recommended dose is 100 mg twice daily for 14, not 10 days.  This would also cure chlamydia.

Once more, my advice is to go to a health care provider and seek testing so that you can find out what you have, if anything, and whether you need treatment.  Please do not try to self medicate.  Thanks.  EWH

[shouldawoulda]

So the dose I took would not have cured syphilis? the ten day course?  I was read on here that it would stop syphilis from getting hold or a term close to that?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Prevention and treatment require different lenghts of treatment.  If you had a sore and it was due to syphilis the recommended dose of doxycyline is for 14 days not 10.  If you did not have syphilis but were exposed but did to syphilis, 10 days of therapy would prevent it from developing.  EWH

[shouldawoulda]

Thank you, that makes much more sense to me...  I have yet to see a sore other than the one I mention that might have been do to masturbation.  Thanks again

[shouldawoulda]

are syphilis sores truly painless?  I have a bump on my inner thigh that resembles a hair/razor bump and is quite sensetive when my pants rub against it.  Because there is pain/discomfort should this be ruled out as a syphilis sore?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Please forget your concerns about syphilis.  This is just not a realistic possibility.  And yes, they really are painless.  EWH

[shouldawoulda]

I was just diagnosed with shingles, would this be anything related to the oral exposure I had.  I have not tested for syphillis (syphilis) because of the low risk and doxy I took, but does this change anything?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, it is not related to your exposure. Shingles is a recurrence of chicken pox that comes from within your body.  EWH

[shouldawoulda]

Last comment and or question...  I know you are happy to hear that. LOL I have been debating testing for syphillis (syphilis), but considering all the facts; First: the female told me she didn't have any STD, Secondly Oral sex is said to be and inefficent way to transmit an STD, Thirdly,  14 days after the incident I took doxcycline, 100mg twice a day for ten days, and had no oral sores prior to, or after the event.  Should I test? it is an exspensive test 163.00.  Thanks

[shouldawoulda]

Hello Dr.  It is a simple question, that I don't feel I can answer myself.  A little guidance please.  Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This will be your last answer which should be obvious from the questions above.  For you to spend your money on syphilis testing is a waste of money.  EWH