Aa
Possibility of getting syphilis
Four days ago, I had sex with a guy I had met before, which involved oral sex, kissing, and anal sex with a condom. The next day, I noticed a canker sore on my gum, but did not pay much attention as I get them sometimes. Four days after the sex, the guy phoned me and told me that one day before we had sex, he had sex with another woman who was tested positive for syphilis today. I was freaking out, but I would like to know what the realistic likelihood of contracting syphilis this way. The guy said he does not see any sores on his body parts.
I would really appreciate some comments on this. Thank you.
I would really appreciate some comments on this. Thank you.
Thank you. I can't believe how much messages from people like you have helped me. Hope I can help others with similar problems in the future just like you helped me.
I'm glad you're feeling better about the situation and hope this gives you the closure you need to put it behind you.
Hi all, thank you very much for your opinions. I truly appreciate your comments. I just saw a doctor, and she said the risk of my contracting syphilis is very low as my case is an indirect exposure, but she recommended an intramuscular penicillin shot as I expected, and I just got it. I understand the use of antibiotics selects and promotes the growth of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, but just to minimize any possible risk, I'm glad I had the shot.
I agree with you overall, but my statement was more or less in response to "I am going to see a doctor today and take some penicillin.". He has already made up his mind that he was getting medication.
Agree 100% with your statement about antibiotic resistance, however when there is a confirmed exposure to syphilis (i.e. her sex partner called and told her he previously had sex with a person who tested positive for syphilis) it may be best to proactively treat. Again, the longer you wait with syphilis, the more difficult it gets to cure. I'm not suggesting the OP beg for the shot, I'll leave that to her doctor, but I certainly would not suggest deferring treatment for syphilis until 6 weeks post exposure for a confirmatory test. Again, my statement only applies to those who have a KNOWN exposure.
As antibiotics are given more and more the body builds up a resistance to them which can also make certain infections resistant to them. Which causes a whole mess of issues.
Would you READ what Vance said? "Do not treat without a confirmed diagnosis. " how is that refusing treatment from a doctor?
What I dont think is a sound advice is to go around taking antibiotics for everything without diagnosis and just in case dont you think?
What I dont think is a sound advice is to go around taking antibiotics for everything without diagnosis and just in case dont you think?
tvik - Like Grace said, there is most likely a low risk you contracted syphilis, but you need to test to be sure, and 6 weeks post exposure is the recommended time frame. Your partner told you he has no sores, but that doesn't mean anything since symptoms of primary syphilis don't show up until a couple weeks post exposure.
Vance - I don't think it's sounds advice to tell someone to refuse treatment from their doctor when it comes to syphilis. Because a confirmatory test cannot be made until 6 weeks post, it's best to treat if there was a known exposure since it's easier to cure syphilis when treated early. It's different when it comes to NG and Ct since confirmatory tests usually take 1-2 days. I stand by my comments from my previous post.
Vance - I don't think it's sounds advice to tell someone to refuse treatment from their doctor when it comes to syphilis. Because a confirmatory test cannot be made until 6 weeks post, it's best to treat if there was a known exposure since it's easier to cure syphilis when treated early. It's different when it comes to NG and Ct since confirmatory tests usually take 1-2 days. I stand by my comments from my previous post.
Thank you very much for your reply. It really helps to get opinions from others when I'm facing a situation like this. I was not sure if syphilis is transmitted from sores, but I've read that it normally takes more than a week for sores to develop. Oral sex was both given and received, and no dental gum was used. I am going to see a doctor today and take some penicillin.
it's low risk.
protect yourself and seek out syphilis testing 6 weeks post encounter to properly cover your bases. unfortunately condoms are not 100% protection against syphilis transmission but your partner not having any sores makes this almost no risk for you.
was the oral sex given or received? protected?
protect yourself and seek out syphilis testing 6 weeks post encounter to properly cover your bases. unfortunately condoms are not 100% protection against syphilis transmission but your partner not having any sores makes this almost no risk for you.
was the oral sex given or received? protected?
Have an Answer?
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.
