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STD Risk and Test Results
Dear Doctor,
I am a 19 year old male. My only risk for an STD was being the insertive partner of oral sex with another man of unknown STD status. I was worried when a bump suddenly appeared in my pubic area just above my penis three weeks after the encounter. A second area also appeared a few inches away at about the same time. The first area is just a raised red bump that hurts when squeezed but doesn't discharge anything. The other area looked like a typical acne pimple. Both are still present thought the first bump has reduced. Another bump appeared yesterday next to the first one. This too seems to be acne but I'm not sure.
I had the original two bumps examined by a doctor and he said that they didn't look like herpes or syphilis. This was 25 days post exposure. That same day I was tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The first two were a urine test, and the syphilis test was a blood test. They all came back negative. I now realize that I was within the syphilis window period. I haven't recognized a rash but I have a sore throat right now.
1) How likely is it that the syphilis test would have picked up the infection after 25 days?
2) Would a test pick up the infection if a chancre were present?
3) What do chancres typically look like?
4) I am in danger of serious effects this early if I am indeed infected?
5) Does syphilis blindness occur suddenly or gradually?
6) What is the syphilis testing window period?
Thank you.
I am a 19 year old male. My only risk for an STD was being the insertive partner of oral sex with another man of unknown STD status. I was worried when a bump suddenly appeared in my pubic area just above my penis three weeks after the encounter. A second area also appeared a few inches away at about the same time. The first area is just a raised red bump that hurts when squeezed but doesn't discharge anything. The other area looked like a typical acne pimple. Both are still present thought the first bump has reduced. Another bump appeared yesterday next to the first one. This too seems to be acne but I'm not sure.
I had the original two bumps examined by a doctor and he said that they didn't look like herpes or syphilis. This was 25 days post exposure. That same day I was tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The first two were a urine test, and the syphilis test was a blood test. They all came back negative. I now realize that I was within the syphilis window period. I haven't recognized a rash but I have a sore throat right now.
1) How likely is it that the syphilis test would have picked up the infection after 25 days?
2) Would a test pick up the infection if a chancre were present?
3) What do chancres typically look like?
4) I am in danger of serious effects this early if I am indeed infected?
5) Does syphilis blindness occur suddenly or gradually?
6) What is the syphilis testing window period?
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As expected. But congratulations.
My eight week syphilis test came back negative today.
Thank you for your comment. I am coming up on 8 weeks now. I will make an appointment to have another test this coming week.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The risk of STD is higher than for HIV (which was near zero, as we discussed in your question last month on the HIV forum), but still quite low.
Your symptoms don't suggest sypyhilis or other STDs. The negative tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are highly reliable. (Chlamydia is rarely transmitted by oral sex anyway.)
1,6) The syphilis test was too early. It takes up to 6 weeks.
2,3) A chancre is an open sore, which would have occurred exactly where your partner's mouth contacted your penis. It is unlikely you would have missed a chancre if you had one. With a little web searching, you can easily fine photos of typical chancres. Try using google and look for something "chancre photo" or "syphilis picture".
4,5) The important problems caused by syphilis, like blindness and other complications, occur in the secondary stage and later, i.e. rarely earlier than 3-4 months after catching it. If syphilis is diagnosed and treated in under 3 months, it is usually not serious.
The chance you caught syphilis is extremely low. But to be 100% safe, have another blood test for it 6 weeks after the oral sex event. You can expect it to be negative.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Your symptoms don't suggest sypyhilis or other STDs. The negative tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are highly reliable. (Chlamydia is rarely transmitted by oral sex anyway.)
1,6) The syphilis test was too early. It takes up to 6 weeks.
2,3) A chancre is an open sore, which would have occurred exactly where your partner's mouth contacted your penis. It is unlikely you would have missed a chancre if you had one. With a little web searching, you can easily fine photos of typical chancres. Try using google and look for something "chancre photo" or "syphilis picture".
4,5) The important problems caused by syphilis, like blindness and other complications, occur in the secondary stage and later, i.e. rarely earlier than 3-4 months after catching it. If syphilis is diagnosed and treated in under 3 months, it is usually not serious.
The chance you caught syphilis is extremely low. But to be 100% safe, have another blood test for it 6 weeks after the oral sex event. You can expect it to be negative.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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.
