syphilis sore or not?

[hendrikd]

Hi, I'm a man living in Belgium, West Europe.

Recently I visited a female prostitute. We did had "safe" sex with condom.

2 weeks later I notice a small wound on the bottom of the glans of my penis.
It was aprox 5mm in diameter and looked like the top skin was away and looked at the flesh below.

No crater like sore, it didn't hurt and wasn't hard.
The next days it became wet and was smelly because of this (wound)liquid.

After 1 week it was healed and completely dissapeard within 10 days.

Now two weeks later i'm having also a light pinkish, a bit swollen spot elsewere on the glans.
Totally different, you only really notice the bump by stretching the skin. It wasn't there before.
It doesn't itch, burn, isn't red or infected, it's just not pleasant to notice.

i'm using a anti-fungal cream for two weaks, but it doesnt go away.


I'm getting crazy of the possibility that I got infected by syphilis.

I read all over the web that a condom isn't completely safe for syphillis.
And it really makes me anxious.


Regards,
Hendrik

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  Your risk for syphilis from the exposure you describe is very, very low.  Syphilis is spread by the direct contact of a syphilis sore with an uninfected partner's skin.  The reason that condoms sometimes do not protect from syphilis is that on some occasions a condom may not prevent contact between a partner's sore and the person's skin.  In your case, with a condom on, the head of your penis was covered and protected from infection.  

In addition, the lesion(s) that you describe, over the time course you describe is not consistent with syphilis.  Syphilis sores typically occur about 3 weeks following exposure and then, unless treated, take several weeks to go away.  In addition, as you know, they form ulcers.  

What you describe could have been a minor skin infection or some other dermatological problem.  It does not sound like syphilis.  In addition, if two weeks of antifungal therapy has not helped, you should stop applying it.

Bottom line, this is unlikely to be syphilis.  If you need the reassurance, you could go get a syphilis test and if this had been syphilis, the test would be positive. Personally, however, I see no need for testing and would not worry.,

I hope my comment helps.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to hear it.  EWH

[hendrikd]

Hi Doctor,


I did a full std check up and everything turned out negative (syphillis included). So you were totally right.

The test was done 7 weeks after contact en 4 weeks after the appearance of the sore.

Regards
Hendrik

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your concern, like those of many of our clients represents a great example of the power of the internet not only to inform but also to mislead.  While there is much useful information available on the internet, much of it is also taken out of context or a bit unbalanced and some of it is just plain wrong.  If you are concerned have your doctor take a look or do a blood test. I am confident that it wil show that you do not have syphilis.  EWH

[hendrikd]

Hi doctor, i'm still concerned. As I read on wikipedia that an ulcur is a disconiuty of the skin.

This was the case with my litle wound. It looked like a spot where the top skin was away.

I also read that a syphillis wound creates a lot of fluid.
This was the case with me. The whole 7 days it was wet and smelly.

The only reason i might think why it healed so slowly and with fluid is that it was partially covered by the upper skin of my penis.

Still, it was also painles as always explained about the syphilis ulcur.

But it wasn't hard.

It really stresses me a lot.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If your sore were due to syphilis (it is not) a blood test taken 5 days after the appearance of the lesion would be positive.  You could test now.  I am confident I know what the result will show.  

EWH

[hendrikd]

If I get a test to be sure. How many weeks after the contact can this be done?

[hendrikd]

Thank you doctor. It clearifies a lot.

Just one more question.

When looking online the term sore and ulcure confuse me a bit.

As I read ulcur is a spot where the skin is away? As in my case?

Or does it has to be really severe or particular sore?