Possible sypilis

[Tj5983]

Hello,about a month ago I had brief protected sex with a sex worker,to be a bit graphic,it didnt last long because I didn't get a full erection so I decided to stop,the whole encounter lasted around two minutes.about 5 days ago a red lump started to form in my pubic area about a cm up from where my penis starts to the right hand side,to the side of it is a tiny hole which looks like a hair should be coming out but there's not,it got very inflamed and hurt quite a lot,it hasn't scabbed up at all,this is now starting to go down but its still there and rock hard,it sort of felt like there was a marble beneath my skin,is this due to sypilis or an other std?also around about the same time to the left hand side about 2-3cm up from where my penis starts in my pubic area a smaller but different spot started to appear,this is also quite painful,last night before I went to bed there was a white tip on the top of it but this morning the tip has gone some what looks like puss came out and now it's just red and a little inflamed,and there is a small hole in the top where the puss came out,does any of this sound like sypilis to you?i am very concerned about this.i am in the uk just for you to know.thanks in advance for your reply

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If you read my reply, you will find that your questions are answered.

The urine test was for gonorrhea and chlamydia, not syphilis which is a far more common STD than syphilis.

You need to relax and this thread needs to end.   EWH

[Tj5983]

Thanks for your quick reply,I've had two different doctors look at the lesions
And they have told me its nothing to worry about,is it possible that you could answer my questions 1-5 it would put my mind at ease tremdously,I also have slight redness on base of penis does this suggest an std sorry if I'm irritating you I'm just so worried,also can I continue to have sex with my wife?
Kind regards

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You need a clinician to look at this lesion.  What you describe may well be folliculitis and is consistent with it.  It could also be a sign of a viral infection called molluscum contagiosum.  Both of these problems are not necessarily STDs.  

What you describe does not suggest syphilis.  EWH

[Tj5983]

Hi doctor hook,I decided to go for a syphilis blood test,I am waiting for the results,I am going out of my mind,the lesion which I described as a marble beneath the skin as nearly completely gone still a small lump there but is much better,however the one on the left  hand side is still there it's a lot smaller its now flat looks slightly like a tiny red creator,slightly bigger than a pin head,I need some reassurance,I'm married and I do not want to pass this on to my wife,you said that this is folliculitis,
1-is this how folliculitis presents its self?
2-this has been here for three weeks now,does folliculitis last that long?
3-when I went for a blood test they also took some urine,why would they do this for syphilis?or are they just checking for something else also?
4-the doctor in the gum clinic felt my glands around my groin,they were not inflamed,is this a good indicator that I do not have syphilis?
5-I have seen two different gp's they inspected the lesion and said that its not syphilis,would they know what they are looking for?
Sorry for all the questions I'm just so worried I can Hardly sleep at night
Kind regards

[Tj5983]

Thanks very much for answering my new question,I do appreciate it very much
Regards

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This is a new question, not a continuation of your prior question and should have been started as a new question.  I will comment briefly.

The lesion you describe is not something I can diagnose without looking at the lesion but it certainly does not sound at all like a syphilis lesions.   You may want to have your doctor take a look.  Furthermore, based on statistics alone this is most unlikely to be syphilis.  syphilis is transmitted by direct contact.  If you did not note a lesion as you performed cunnilingus on your partner the chance that this is syphilis is incredibly low based on these features alone. Further, while there are a very few cases of oral syphilis due to sexual contact between men who have sex with men, this is very, very rare among heterosexuals, even when one partner is a CSW.

You seem very worried about syphilis.  If you can't stop worrying, I suggest that when you see your doctor, that you request  a syphilis blood test for you own peace of mind.  it will be negative and, when it is, please believe the result.   EWH

[Tj5983]

Hi again,sorry to bother you again with my problems,I didn't mention in my last post that I had another encounter with a csw,no intercourse but I performed cunnilings on her this was also around a month ago,two days ago a small mouth ulcer appeared on the inside of my bottom lip,it is very small and looks white/grey,now I am feeling very concerned once again about syphilis could you please advise on this thanks in advance

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help.  EWH

[Tj5983]

Thanks very much for your advice I really appreciate it and happy new year

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I see no medical need but if you desire to do so, tests are easy to perform.  EWH

[Tj5983]

So in your opinion do I need testing for syphilis
Kind regards

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  These lesions you describe are very unlikely to be syphilis.  I say this for many reasons.  Most (over half) syphilis, both in the U.S.  and the U.K occur in men who have sex with other men, not heterosexuals, even those who have contact with CSWs.  Further, the lesions you describe really do not sound like syphilis but like folliculitis (see below) and over 85% of syphilis lesions occur on the distal penis- the area you describe would be a very unusual place for syphilis to occur.  Finally, the lesions appeared rather early to be syphilis.  

On the other hand, the lesions you describe sound very much like folliculitis.  Folliculitis occurs when the pores in your skin get plugged.  This allows that normal bacteria that are present on just about every-one's skin to grow and cause what is essentially a pimple.  Some of these just appear as red bumps which may or may not be  tender while others go on to actually form pimples.  some but not all folliculitis lesions have hairs coming out of them and some but not all go on to form boils.  

You can completely rule out the possibility of syphilis with a blood test at this time- if the lesions were syphilis, the test would now be positive. I am confident that your tests would be negative however.  Folliculitis is best treated with soap and water.  EWH