Syphilis

[Mikko811]

I went to strip club in Bangkok where I received a lap dance. I was fully clothed and a stripper had her thong and bra. During a lap dance I touched her body, breasts and nipples. I also received few quick pecks on my cheek and on my closed lips. That's all what happened. It was so dark, I was drunk and I cannot say if she had lesions or not. Anyways, I know that syphilis is pretty rare but what comes to Thailand and CSW, everything is possible.

Next day I was feeling guilty and started to search information if there would be any chance to catch STIs. That was a big mistake. I found out that syphilis could be caught also by kissing. That was also confirmed in this forum. I also read that tetracycline is effective for curing/preventing syphilis. I decided to take 2000 mg tetracycline (2 x 250 mg 4 times a day) for 15 days which was recommended by CDC. I also took a test after a week which was too early, I know. In this forum I read that antibiotics could also mask the symptoms but I took the tetracycline as recommended for curing syphilis.

I think that my risk for catching syphilis from one or two closed lips quick pecks (or just touching her body with my hands) is very low. If I would have managed to catch a disease, tetracycline would have done its job since I took 500 mg (2 x 250 mg) after every 6 hours for 15 days. Do you agree that there is no chance that I have syphilis? I haven’t planned to go for testing again if it’s not needed.

Could you give me your medical view about this? Can I finally move forward without testing?

I assume that I have badly overreacted and I want to move on. Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad that I could help.  EWH

[Mikko811]

Thanks for relieving words. I will stop thinking about this NOW!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll be glad to comment.  The risk for acquiring syphilis from the sorts of exposures you describe  is close to zero.  While syphilis IS transmitted by direct contact. the friction of sexual activity helps transmission to occur.  In your case the touching and quick kisses you describe do not represent any meaningful risk for infection.   I certainly would not have treated you for such an exposure if you had asked me.

You did take treatment however and the tetracycline treatment you took would have certainly cured syphilis if you had been exposed.  

There is no reason for you to worry, no need for testing, and no need for further treatment.  I agree with you that you over reacted.  It is now time for you to move forward without concern.  EWH