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STDs (Expert Forum)
Syphilis query
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
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IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Syphilis query
by Thumper79, Apr 28, 2008 05:32PM
Dear Sirs,
I have already submitted this question on the open community forum, thinking this was the 'ask the expert' forum, so apologies for any confusion / duplication.
Is it possible for Syphilis to bypass the Secondary phase all together? The reason I ask is some years ago I developed a patch of red, dry skin on my penis, maybe 1cm across. It wasn't painful and resembled a callous, after a short while it went away (can;t remember exactly how long it was there for, maybe a week or two).
I'm totally sure I never developed any signs of secondary syhilis, 100% no rash or anything like that (I'm very fair skinned so notice even a small blemish and the only rashes I've ever had were chickenpox aged 8, and the inevitable effects of cheap aftershave).
With everything in the news lately about Syphilis making a comeback I'm concerned that this could have been primary syphilis. My key question is:- is it possible for syphilis to go from primary to tertiary stages without ever leading to a syptomatic secondary stage in between, or am I worrying about nothing?
By the way, I'm a straight guy, late 20's living in the UK and only ever sexually active in Western Europe if that makes any difference..
Thanks Doc(s).
I have already submitted this question on the open community forum, thinking this was the 'ask the expert' forum, so apologies for any confusion / duplication.
Is it possible for Syphilis to bypass the Secondary phase all together? The reason I ask is some years ago I developed a patch of red, dry skin on my penis, maybe 1cm across. It wasn't painful and resembled a callous, after a short while it went away (can;t remember exactly how long it was there for, maybe a week or two).
I'm totally sure I never developed any signs of secondary syhilis, 100% no rash or anything like that (I'm very fair skinned so notice even a small blemish and the only rashes I've ever had were chickenpox aged 8, and the inevitable effects of cheap aftershave).
With everything in the news lately about Syphilis making a comeback I'm concerned that this could have been primary syphilis. My key question is:- is it possible for syphilis to go from primary to tertiary stages without ever leading to a syptomatic secondary stage in between, or am I worrying about nothing?
By the way, I'm a straight guy, late 20's living in the UK and only ever sexually active in Western Europe if that makes any difference..
Thanks Doc(s).
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Apr 28, 2008 06:03PM
, Apr 28, 2008 06:03PM
Syphilis can "skip" the secondary phase. Whether that is becasue someone doesn't notice the findings or there is actually a "skip" is debated. For you however, please realize that your risk for syphilis is very low. Most syphilis occurs among men who have sex with men and the lesion you describe really doesn't sound like syphilis. In my opinion, you have nothing to worry about that you've told me. If you are really worried, then get a syphilis blood test- then when you get the negative result you can forget about it. EWH
You're response has been very re-assuring, although maybe I'll take a test just to be safe. My major concern had been that Syphilis can be a 'silent killer' especially in the tertiary stage. In your oppinion how long would it usually take for syphilis to start to damage the heart and nerves after contracting it, assuming health was otherwise ok. (I'm generally pretty fit, and was tested HIV negative last year as part of a medical).
Thanks again,