When can I have sex?

[mattttt2]

Hi

I have a question to ask about Syphilis. I recently had sex with someone and later found out they had it. So I went to get tested and they gave me the treatment in case I had it. The woman I saw said I shouldn't have any sex for three months because there is a window period and I could still have the disease, even if I tested negative. I went back a week later and my results came back negative. But, when I asked the doctor if I could have sex now, he said that based on those test results, I was ok to. So I was told two different things by two different doctors, I desided to look online and again I got mixed answers. Some websites say to wait seven days after treatment, while others said to wait until follow up tests show that the treatment has definitely worked. Apparently, I will need to have checkups at 3, 6 and 12 months before I am given the all clear. Does this mean I have to wait 12 months before having sex again? Can someone please explain this to me. How long should I wait? I am fairly certain I don't have it and, if I did, I have been treated for it, so am I ok to have sex now like the second doctor said?

[Vance2335]

I can't deal in "what if's" because you can come up with a "what if" that will keep this going and going.

[mattttt2]

Ok but what if I did come into contact with a sore and I was infected? And what if the treatment didn't work? Should I wait until the end of the window period just to be sure?

[Vance2335]

You can only get syphilis by coming into contact with a syphilis sore. It is simple as that. So you have to have a symptom the sore in order to infect others. This I am sure of.

[mattttt2]

Are you sure? I've read lots of stuff that says you can infect someone even if you don't have any symptoms. And apparently there has been an increase in catching it through oral sex, that's why they gave me the treatment.

[Vance2335]

Ok both are very low risk. The sex with a condom really puts your risk very very low and it is uncommon to have syphilis orally.

You have been treated so if you did aquire syphilis it would have been taken care of. i would not worry about this at all.

Also the only way to aquire syphilis is from direct contact with a syphilis sore and about 1/2 the people who do have contact with that sore do not get syphilis.

[mattttt2]

Had sex with a condom and oral sex without a condom.

[Vance2335]

Lets start over...what did you do with the person who has syphilis?

[mattttt2]

Yeah but I could still have it, it just hasn't shown up because of the three month window period (or six weeks, whatever it is.)

[Vance2335]

Is oral sex safe...for the most part yes, but you do have a low risk for gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis.

That is stating if you test positive for the infection. You have not. And even testing positive you really don't need to test out that much.

[mattttt2]

What about oral sex? I don't think my partners would want to wear a condom for that and, to be honest, I don't usually. Is that safe?

Oh and this website is one of the ones that says you should wait until follows ups:

"You must have follow-up blood tests at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to make sure the infection is gone. You should avoid sexual conduct until two follow-up tests show that the infection has been cured."

[gracefromHHP]

waiting a week after treatment is all you need to do.  

grace

[Vance2335]

First make sure you use condoms. Second chances are you didn't get syphilis even with your partner having syphilis. Third testing after 6 weeks is conclusive. Forth since you were treated I would wait 7 days after final treatment to have sex. Fifth you should discuss STD's/HIV before sex and as I said use condoms.