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Oral Sex and Syphilis
I am a gay man who gave oral to a guy in a discreet hook up off of craigslist over 3 months ago. I sucked him to completion but did not swallow nor did he *** in my mouth. About 6 weeks ago, I developed a salmon oval shaped spot on my abdomen that was solo for about 1-2 weeks and recently (about 3-4 weeks ago) I developed a skin rash over my trunk (chest, abs, lower back, upper thighs - there is no involvement on the palms or soles of my feet). A visit to the dermatologist confirmed pityriasis rosea rash and the dermatologist said it was a "classic" presentation of pityriasis rosea. I never had a chancre in my mouth, never had a fever, lymph node involvement and my partner has had no symptoms and we are very sexually active with each other (oral sex > 3 times per week, anal sex around 1-2 times per week). I am petrified this could be syphilis despite what my dermatologist has said and the fact that I have read that it is rare (some say very rare) to get syphilis from oral sex. Am I over worried about this and should I have complete confidence in the diagnosis of pityriasis rosea?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
In general, anonymous sex between men is pretty high risk for syphilis. However, the evidence is overwhelming that's not what you have. 1) Although oral-genital syphilis transmission can occur, it isn't very common. 2) If you had caught syphilis, the initial sign would be an open sore of a directly exposed area -- in this case your penis or mouth. 3) A dermatologist's diagnosis of pyityriasis rosea is highly accurate. Although PR can be confused with secondary syphilis, few dermatologists would confuse them. 4) It is only the rash of secondary syphilis that is sometimes confused with PR, and secondary syphilis does not occur sooner than 3 months after exposure.
If you want further reassurance, you can always have a syphilis blood test; the test is accurate any time 6 weeks or more after exposure. But I really don't think it is necessary; you can definitely rely on the dermatologist's diagnosis.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
In general, anonymous sex between men is pretty high risk for syphilis. However, the evidence is overwhelming that's not what you have. 1) Although oral-genital syphilis transmission can occur, it isn't very common. 2) If you had caught syphilis, the initial sign would be an open sore of a directly exposed area -- in this case your penis or mouth. 3) A dermatologist's diagnosis of pyityriasis rosea is highly accurate. Although PR can be confused with secondary syphilis, few dermatologists would confuse them. 4) It is only the rash of secondary syphilis that is sometimes confused with PR, and secondary syphilis does not occur sooner than 3 months after exposure.
If you want further reassurance, you can always have a syphilis blood test; the test is accurate any time 6 weeks or more after exposure. But I really don't think it is necessary; you can definitely rely on the dermatologist's diagnosis.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Thank you very much! I fully understand and appreciate that anonymous gay sex is risky and I can assure you that it will never happen again. Although petrifying, it was a valuable lesson learned. Thanks again for your insight.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I saw this before replying. It makes no difference in my opinion or advice.
I should add that I have never had any unprotected anal sex and I do not frequently meet guys for discreet encounters. Last discreet encounter was January 2011 and March 2011.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
