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Syphilis chancre?
Hello, thank you for responding. I have previously posted a question relating to these same circumstances here: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/Vaginal-fluid-on-finger--scratched-open-wound/show/2000940?camp=watch_list. Those previous questions were about HIV, but I am now concerned about syphilis. Here is why:
About 8 days after the encounter with the stripper, described in my previous post linked above, a bump started developing at the lip-line of my bottom lip. The next morning, it appeared to have whitish-yellow pus just under it. I squeezed it and some thick pus came out. That afternoon, after taking a shower, I squeezed it again and some faintly yellow liquid came out. This was thinner and more liquid-y than the thicker pus that had come out that morning. But instead of drying out and going away, the "pimple" remained. This was all on Thursday. Friday, the "pimple" remained but had become somewhat smaller, and had a hard, dry, scabby feel and appearance. This is the state it is currently in. I'm worried because from the beginning this has not looked like a usual pimple, and usually the pimples I have had do not scab up or become hard - they just flatten out, dry out and gradually disappear. Plus, the location of this bump right where my lip begins seems odd for a pimple but common for a syphilis chancre.
1. Could this be a syphilis chancre? Can a syphilis chancre house the kind of pus described and be popped in the manner of a pimple? Would a chancre become hard, dried, and scabbed?
2. What are the chances that I could have even been infected with syphilis without having had any oral-genital contact? As I stated in my previous post, I did french kiss the stripper and sucked her nipples. I also kissed and licked other parts of her body, but never had any direct oral-genital contact.
3. Could this be herpes instead?
4. How soon can I get a conclusive blood test to test for herpes or syphilis?
About 8 days after the encounter with the stripper, described in my previous post linked above, a bump started developing at the lip-line of my bottom lip. The next morning, it appeared to have whitish-yellow pus just under it. I squeezed it and some thick pus came out. That afternoon, after taking a shower, I squeezed it again and some faintly yellow liquid came out. This was thinner and more liquid-y than the thicker pus that had come out that morning. But instead of drying out and going away, the "pimple" remained. This was all on Thursday. Friday, the "pimple" remained but had become somewhat smaller, and had a hard, dry, scabby feel and appearance. This is the state it is currently in. I'm worried because from the beginning this has not looked like a usual pimple, and usually the pimples I have had do not scab up or become hard - they just flatten out, dry out and gradually disappear. Plus, the location of this bump right where my lip begins seems odd for a pimple but common for a syphilis chancre.
1. Could this be a syphilis chancre? Can a syphilis chancre house the kind of pus described and be popped in the manner of a pimple? Would a chancre become hard, dried, and scabbed?
2. What are the chances that I could have even been infected with syphilis without having had any oral-genital contact? As I stated in my previous post, I did french kiss the stripper and sucked her nipples. I also kissed and licked other parts of her body, but never had any direct oral-genital contact.
3. Could this be herpes instead?
4. How soon can I get a conclusive blood test to test for herpes or syphilis?
A related discussion, If I had a syphilis chancre, is it possible for it to disappear in less than 3 days? was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As chance would have it, I happened to pick up your follow-up question. I'll start my reply by telling you that I read your interchange with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said to you, including that their was "no risk for HIV or any other STD". I agree with this - and would include syphilis. What you describe does not sound at all like syphilis (or herpes). Syphilis lesions (herpes too) do not cause pus of the sort you describe. Further, and building on Dr. Handsfield's comment, not only does what you describe sound nothing like syphilis, but it is unlikely that you partner had syphilis (syphilis is even less common than HIV). I suspect the pimple you are describing is nothing more than that- a coincidental pimple.
As far as what to do, I suggest you keep the lesion clean and dry. There is really no reason to test for any STI but if you feel you must (and from your posts, I suspect you do feel you must), you can test for syphilis now and if the lesion were syphilis, your blood test would be positive. I recommend against blood tests for HSV- they often yield false positive results but again, if you must you could have the sore tested by PCR or culture.
I hope these comments are helpful. EWH
As far as what to do, I suggest you keep the lesion clean and dry. There is really no reason to test for any STI but if you feel you must (and from your posts, I suspect you do feel you must), you can test for syphilis now and if the lesion were syphilis, your blood test would be positive. I recommend against blood tests for HSV- they often yield false positive results but again, if you must you could have the sore tested by PCR or culture.
I hope these comments are helpful. EWH
I should add: the "pimple" itself now, while smaller, harder, and scabbed, is not completely flat or dried out. It is still raised and looks and feels as though if I were to peel the scabby part off, there would still be some liquid/pus under it.
Thank you very much for any help you can offer.
Thank you very much for any help you can offer.
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.
