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Is A Painless Ulcer On Penis Symptom Of Syphilis?
Question: Hi about 9 years ago I had one painless ulcer like lesion on my penis. It cleared up after about 2 weeks with no treatment. I have had no other symptoms since. Could this have been syphilis and if so how long does it take for syphilis to start doing permanent damage?
Brief Answer:
Syphilis, low possibility
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. It does not appear to be syphilis
2. Syphilis infection usually persists for more than a month without treatment. You are looking at an ulcer, which healed normally.
However, if it were to be syphilis
a. You would have had fever with lymphnode enlargement after 6-8 after healing of ulcer.
b. Your hepatic functions or renal functions would be abnormal.
c. For permanent damage, usually more common in tertiary syphilis, which will taking usually years. Usually it can start anywhere from 2 years upto decades.
If you are not sure, get a syphilis test - ELISA done. It should confirm.
I strongly doubt it is syphilis, and even it were syphilis, the antibiotics taken over the 9 years period, could have killed it.
Get an ELISA done for confirmation.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Syphilis, low possibility
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. It does not appear to be syphilis
2. Syphilis infection usually persists for more than a month without treatment. You are looking at an ulcer, which healed normally.
However, if it were to be syphilis
a. You would have had fever with lymphnode enlargement after 6-8 after healing of ulcer.
b. Your hepatic functions or renal functions would be abnormal.
c. For permanent damage, usually more common in tertiary syphilis, which will taking usually years. Usually it can start anywhere from 2 years upto decades.
If you are not sure, get a syphilis test - ELISA done. It should confirm.
I strongly doubt it is syphilis, and even it were syphilis, the antibiotics taken over the 9 years period, could have killed it.
Get an ELISA done for confirmation.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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