Aa
treatment
Doctor,
My dermatologist prescribed Augmentin 1g for 14 days for syphilis. I found out 4 days ago, both VDRL and FTA-ABS tests (IgG pos, IgM neg) confirmed that I do have a syphilis infection, and I was possibly infected 5 years ago( am I way past the secondary stage? possibly latent?). The dermatologist says that Augmentin should work, but I'm worried.
I will continue with the oral Augmentin, and re-test to see if it is working, but what are the chances it will? and if it doesn't will it at least delay the tertiary stage till I try another treatment?
My dermatologist prescribed Augmentin 1g for 14 days for syphilis. I found out 4 days ago, both VDRL and FTA-ABS tests (IgG pos, IgM neg) confirmed that I do have a syphilis infection, and I was possibly infected 5 years ago( am I way past the secondary stage? possibly latent?). The dermatologist says that Augmentin should work, but I'm worried.
I will continue with the oral Augmentin, and re-test to see if it is working, but what are the chances it will? and if it doesn't will it at least delay the tertiary stage till I try another treatment?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
That was clearly an allergic reaction, not J-H.
This is beyond advice from an online source. Discuss with your doctor. I won't have any more comments.
This is beyond advice from an online source. Discuss with your doctor. I won't have any more comments.
Thank you doctor I think i will insist on the shots. Would an allergy test tell me if I'm allergic to the penicillin? I took two doses of penicillin V 2 years ago for an eye infection and had a reaction to it (urticaria, fever). I then thought it was an allergic reaction but thinking about it it could have been the jarisch-herxheimer reaction. Would a simple allergy test tell me if i'm actually allergic to it?
Thank you again,
Thank you again,
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It sounds like your doc does understand syphilis. Still, if I were in your situation, I would insist on the penicillin shots. Or, if I stuck with oral therapy, I would take much higher doses and would continue treatment fo 4 weeks.
Augmentin is a combination drug, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. Only the amox is active ageist syphilis. I would take 1 gram amoxicillin 3-4 times a day for 4 weeks. It will cause a lot of diarrhea, which is one reason penicillin shots are preferred.
Augmentin is a combination drug, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. Only the amox is active ageist syphilis. I would take 1 gram amoxicillin 3-4 times a day for 4 weeks. It will cause a lot of diarrhea, which is one reason penicillin shots are preferred.
I am in Cyprus and my dermatologist studied in Hungary where she says she has a lot of experience with syphilis. I did question the treatment and she said I can wait and see if it works, and if it doesnt she would give me penicillin injections daily for 14 days.
I don't have the information about the blood test unfortunately.
Should I rush and get the injections, or can I wait and see if they are actually needed? Should I be worried about the late tertiary stage at this point? or do I have the option of waiting for the injections?
I don't have the information about the blood test unfortunately.
Should I rush and get the injections, or can I wait and see if they are actually needed? Should I be worried about the late tertiary stage at this point? or do I have the option of waiting for the injections?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In my first reply, "tiger" should be "titer".
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Also, if augmentin were to be used, the dose would be 2-4 times higher; and the duration of therapy should be 4 weeks. More evidence, I ypthink, that the dermatologist is not up to speed on syphilis.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. MedHelp asks moderators not to criticize questioners' own doctors, and your dermatologist may be a genuine syphilis expert, especially if you are in a country where the STD and dermatology specialties are linked, like much of Europe. But your management is plainly wrong according to standard guidelines in the US and most countries.
It is true that augmentin "should" work. However it has not been well studied and its efficacy cannot be assured. The ONLY recommended treatment for syphilis more than a year in duration is long-acting penicillin by injection, 3 doses a week apart. Also, many patients should have a spinal tap to check for infection in the central nervous system (neurosyphilis), since the long acting form of penicillin does not reliably cure neurosyphilis.
It would be of interest to know the tiger (strength) of your positive blood test. Do you have that information.
I recommend you discuss this reply with your dermatologist, and/or get a second opinion right away from an STD expert (e.g. your local health department) or an infectious diseases specialist.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
It is true that augmentin "should" work. However it has not been well studied and its efficacy cannot be assured. The ONLY recommended treatment for syphilis more than a year in duration is long-acting penicillin by injection, 3 doses a week apart. Also, many patients should have a spinal tap to check for infection in the central nervous system (neurosyphilis), since the long acting form of penicillin does not reliably cure neurosyphilis.
It would be of interest to know the tiger (strength) of your positive blood test. Do you have that information.
I recommend you discuss this reply with your dermatologist, and/or get a second opinion right away from an STD expert (e.g. your local health department) or an infectious diseases specialist.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
