Can Syphilis be passed through semen

[concernedguy0101]

I was recently diagnosis with Syphilis when I had my std tests that I take every 6 months.  A few days prior to discovering my infection I had contact with another guy.  We mutually masterbated and the other guy ingested my semen (licked it off my stomache) and also used some of my semen for lubricate to masterbate himself on his penis.  He also was rubbing himself with it around his anus.  I do not believe he put any inside himself but I am not sure.  Can syphilis be passed via semen or other bodily fluids or only via a chancre?  The individual is out of the country for several weeks for work and the only manner in which I have to contact him until he returns is his email.  I do not know if I should concern him at this point or wait until he returns....

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are good to be concerned about your partner.  To the best of our knowledge, syphilis is transmitted by direct contact with lesions or (rarely) through blood.  Thus if you did not have a lesion at the time and there was no blood, it is unlikely that you gave him syphilis.  A caveat however is that I do not know that there have been studies of whether or not the syphilis bacteria (Treponema pallidum) is present in semen or not.  THUS, since you two were clearly busy with one another and a lot of secretions were spread around.  My advice would be to notify him that he has been exposed to syphilis and that he should seek PREVENTATIVE therapy with penicillin, whether or not he has lesions.  This is highly effective, and would resolve any concerns for both of you.

Hope this helps.  Let him know.  EWH

[concernedguy0101]

Thank you for the quick response.  My plan has been to let him know once he returns since email is a very impersonal mode of communication; however, I feel more comfortable letting him know now so that in the off chance he was infected that he can be treated and will not pass along the infection to others.  I appreciate your assistance.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Good decision.  Despite the impersonal nature of e-mail, it is better for him to know and get preventative therapy sooner than later.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Good decision.  Despite the impersonal nature of e-mail, it is better for him to know and get preventative therapy sooner than later.  EWH

[underdog38]

I have read studies that the bacteria has been isolated in semun through PCR testing.  If I can locate, I would post it to you.

[reesse255]

hi concernedguy i am a concerned female with a boyfriend whom i think may have syphillis would you be willing to share with me what it looks like and answer a few questions for me i know what it looks like but i have a few questions none to personal i hope...lol...i would appreciate your input,,,,,,,,thankyou...

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I deleted the wacko comment that stimulated your reply - and thus your reply as well, even though it was right on the mark, as usual.

HNY--  

[NickStCloud]

All I have to say is "duuhh!".  Even if no lesions are visible, it doesn't mean you don't have them and it doesn't, by any means, give you a remotely valid excuse to not inform your partner of your infection!!!  Your semen, blood, skin, saliva, etc. should all be considered infectious and you shouldn't take chances with other people because you can't "see" any lesions on yourself. Its completely irresponisble.  Considering the disease is as easy to cure as it is and happens to be, if left untreated, as devestating as it is, you shouldn't fool around w/ questions on here in order to, in your hopes, get an answer that would prevent you from informing your partner of this to save yourself the embarassment, the guilt of messing around, or w/e.  Wise up man.  Take the antibiotics and get anyone else you rubbed tummies with in the last 6 months to take them too.