Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Secondary syphilis?

I've posted here before, but it was because of my paranoia of treatment failure (pharyngeal gonorrhea). 5 days ago, I developed a mysterious rash on my chest. It was weird because I did not have a rash in the morning. My parents think it's a heat rash because I wore all black, and the sun was out. The rash was kinda stung when I showered the following morning.

My risk:
I gave oral sex to a man, and I am also a man.

Because I am a hypochondriac, I am convincing myself that I developed syphilis. However, I don't think I developed the classical syphilis chancre. I've already tested for HIV, and it was conclusively negative. If it were ARS related, I would have the other symptoms present...right? I was also tested for Syphilis, but it was inconclusive at 3 weeks.

The rash seems to be my only concern. Also, my cat scratched my chest two days prior to the appearance of the rash. But i've been scratched by my cat in the same area and a rash never occurred.

It has been 8 weeks post exposure, and the window for syphilis appears to be 12 weeks. I am so frightened right now. Especially after reading someone on medhelp post their story about treatment failure.



6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Maybe my skin is very sensitive? I didn't have the rash that following morning, but I wore all black and the sun was high.

Or the latter. I took my shirt off and my chest rubbed with my linen.

So it could be a heat rash or allergic/contact dermatitis?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I haven't had any exposures. The rash was sorta itchy, and I've read that secondary syphilis does not present as a itchy rash. But I've had doubts because the chancre sometimes does not appear :(

It can't be HIV because I have no other ARS symptoms, and my HIV NAAT test was conclusive. They tested the blood for syphilis, but it was too early to test.

It has been 8-9 weeks after exposure, and I don't know if it's appropriate to test for syphilis. I am too stressed out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your rash cannot be syphilis. Gonorrhea treatment (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) would have cured syphilis if you had it at the time. And if exposed since then, it is far too soon for a syphilis skin rash -- 3 months minimum.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Unlikely.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes. Could it be syphilis?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you have a question about syphilis?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the STDs / STIs Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
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.