Syphilis

[mhk666]

Hy Doc.

Am homo-sextual and am having unprotected sex with a single partner only. And both of us are free of any STD. The question is, are we in risk of contracting any sextual transmitted diseas, since i have read an article in the internet saying that the most percentage of people having Syphlis are between man to man sex.

And if am having Syphlis for 7 years how long does it take to be cured.

I now some oof these question may appear idiot to you, but the answer for them are really important. Your answers are really appreciated.

Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Neither syphilis nor any other STD is created out of the blue; there is nothing about sex between men (or sex between anybody) that creates a previously nonexistent infection.  Somebody has to bring the infection into the relationship.  So if neither of you had an STD when you started your relationship and neither of you has sex with other people, there is no risk.

But most gay men acquire one or more STDs somewhere along the line, and your second question suggests you might have had syphilis in the past (?).  What you read on the internet is true:  in most parts of the country, syphilis is much more common in gay men than in straight people.  But there are some areas where heterosexual syphilis remains common.

Syphilis lasts indefinitely unless treated, sometimes for life.  However, after a year or so it cannot be transmitted to other people, or only very rarely.  If either of you has had sex with other men in the past, it is conceivable that syphilis or another STD is present.  If in doubt, you and your partner should go together to a knowledgeable health care provider and have a check-up.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[mhk666]

Hi doc.

Can you take a look at this message from this forum under the link http://www.medhelp.org/forums/urology/messages/31339.html

Since the answer of this message is anal sex can pu you in a risk for getting STD and bacteria, even if both partner are free from any STD. Cause the colon has a lot of kinds of bacteria.

Is that true

Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I read the link.  It doesn't change my previous reply; no STD (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, HIV, etc) can appear in a couple without being brougth into the relationship by sex with someone else.

Dr. Pho is correct, unprotected anal sex exposes the urethra to large numbers of the normal bacteria that abound in feces and the rectum, and increases the risk of a urinary tract infection.  Such infections are not classified as STDs.

Good luck-- HHH, MD