Aa
Reliability of Syphilis tests
Over 6 weeks ago I had a sexual encounter with a gay man. We had protected oral sex as we both wore condoms, although before we put on teh condoms I licked the shaft of his penis and he did the same for me.He also fingered me. I have been tested for clamydia and gonorrhea which have come back negative. At 28 days I had a blood test for syphilis and HIV , both of which have come back negative. I have not shown any symptoms although I understand that many people can be asymptomatic and I wasn't aware of any chancres on the guy's body ( as it was daylight). Unfortuantely the GUM clinic is giving me conflicting advice - some say that I don't need to be tested again but otheres say I must have a re-test again at 12 weeks. My questions are, what are the risks I have taken and how reliable are the tests at 28 days?
I am extremely anxious as this was totally out of the blue and something I have never done before.
Thanks in advance for your help
I am extremely anxious as this was totally out of the blue and something I have never done before.
Thanks in advance for your help
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Despite the standard recommendations for testing out to 3 months, there is very, very little chance that you have syphilis. Let me explain.
First, syphilis is a rare infection, even among men who have sex with other men.
Second, syphilis is passed through direct contact an you saw the body surfaces that you were exposed to. No lesions, no risk.
Third, when persons get syphilis they typically develop lesions at a site of direct contact within 3 weeks of exposure. These lesions may be painless which is how they get missed, leading to the idea that syphilis can be asymptomatic since a lesion at a location like the rectum or within a woman's vagina is unlikely to be seen and therefore would be missed. In your case, your sites of exposure were your tongue an mouth so if a lesion had formed, I presume you would have seen it.
A syphilis test at 28 days will detect the substantial majority of cases (sorry, there are no percentages to provide) but a very small proportion of infected people will not have positive blood tests until a longer period has passed. The recommendation for 12 weeks is conservative and meant to detect every case that would occur but, in my experience, is an overly conservative recommendation.
I hope this helps. At this time the possibility you have syphilis is exceedingly low. I would not worry. Whether or not you get additional testing is, of course, up to you. EWH
First, syphilis is a rare infection, even among men who have sex with other men.
Second, syphilis is passed through direct contact an you saw the body surfaces that you were exposed to. No lesions, no risk.
Third, when persons get syphilis they typically develop lesions at a site of direct contact within 3 weeks of exposure. These lesions may be painless which is how they get missed, leading to the idea that syphilis can be asymptomatic since a lesion at a location like the rectum or within a woman's vagina is unlikely to be seen and therefore would be missed. In your case, your sites of exposure were your tongue an mouth so if a lesion had formed, I presume you would have seen it.
A syphilis test at 28 days will detect the substantial majority of cases (sorry, there are no percentages to provide) but a very small proportion of infected people will not have positive blood tests until a longer period has passed. The recommendation for 12 weeks is conservative and meant to detect every case that would occur but, in my experience, is an overly conservative recommendation.
I hope this helps. At this time the possibility you have syphilis is exceedingly low. I would not worry. Whether or not you get additional testing is, of course, up to you. EWH
Hi,
thanks for the feedback. Went back to a different clinic and was told taht a test at 7 weeks should certainly show signs. It has come back negative. They have also assured me taht there would be no need for another test at 12 weeks. The white mark at the back of my mouth is still there. I am not sure if this is because I am dehydrated but it has been with me now for approximately 2 weeks. It is quite a large area - maybe half an inch or so across. Will try and and get it looked at soon.
Thanks for your help.
thanks for the feedback. Went back to a different clinic and was told taht a test at 7 weeks should certainly show signs. It has come back negative. They have also assured me taht there would be no need for another test at 12 weeks. The white mark at the back of my mouth is still there. I am not sure if this is because I am dehydrated but it has been with me now for approximately 2 weeks. It is quite a large area - maybe half an inch or so across. Will try and and get it looked at soon.
Thanks for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In theory yes, if there is direct contact with a sore. In your case, this simply is not a realistic concern. EWH
Just one more question, if I may.
Can syphilis be passed on by kissing? 7 week in since the event I have now developed a sore throat but it is too far back for me to see if it is one of the 'lesions/chancres'.
Can syphilis be passed on by kissing? 7 week in since the event I have now developed a sore throat but it is too far back for me to see if it is one of the 'lesions/chancres'.
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.
