Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
STDs (Expert Forum)
Syphilis Antibiotics
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Syphilis Antibiotics
by travlin, Jul 18, 2007 12:00AM
35 yo male, Perfect health. Resently in Costa Rica, Had sex with a girl I met there. I used a Condom but at some point in the drunken romp it came off. Now just over 3 weeks later I have a classic Syphilis Chancre on my penis.
It will be atleast another 10 days before I can get tested and/or see a doctor due to work commitments. Will Amoxicillian have any effect of syphilis? I have a new bottle of 30 875mg Amoxicillian tablets that I would like to start to keep this from getting worse. I still want to be tested for everything but it is just not possible for the next 10 days
It will be atleast another 10 days before I can get tested and/or see a doctor due to work commitments. Will Amoxicillian have any effect of syphilis? I have a new bottle of 30 875mg Amoxicillian tablets that I would like to start to keep this from getting worse. I still want to be tested for everything but it is just not possible for the next 10 days
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 18, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 18, 2007 12:00AM
Do not treat yourself without gettting a clear diagnosis. Amoxicillin will not reliably cure syphilis, but it will interfere with accurate diagnosis.
Syphilis can cause strokes, blindness, and other horrible problems. Although rarely fatal, it sometimes kills. Get your priorities straight. Work commitments or not, you have no choice but to see a health care provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. Even if you delay, do not start treating yourself with amoxicillin or anything else.
On top of that, even with a 'classic chancre', statistically herpes probably is more likely. Delayed evaluation also interferese with effective diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes.
Just do it.
HHH, MD
Syphilis can cause strokes, blindness, and other horrible problems. Although rarely fatal, it sometimes kills. Get your priorities straight. Work commitments or not, you have no choice but to see a health care provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. Even if you delay, do not start treating yourself with amoxicillin or anything else.
On top of that, even with a 'classic chancre', statistically herpes probably is more likely. Delayed evaluation also interferese with effective diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes.
Just do it.
HHH, MD
Member Comments (2)
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 18, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 18, 2007 12:00AM
I meant to add that if "travlin" means you are working away from home, you could be seen at the nearest local health department clinic. In the US, that's generally the most reliable way to get knowledgeable and reliable care for syphilis, even if you were at home and near your personal health care provider. Many (most?) private docs aren't up to speed on syphilis. If you're out of the country, a local public health agency or a dermatologist would be a good bet.
