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Suggest Treatment For Syphilis

Posted on Thu, 4 Jun 2015

Question: Dear Dr,

I am a 23 year old male. I have asked for 2 doctors in this website already. On April 4, 23 and May 5 I had protected oral and vaginal sex with sex workers(maybe the one on May 5 is not a sex worker with less then 10 partners). On May 7 I got a blood test for STDs and I found out I got syphilis on May 12(TPPA reactive, RPR 1:1). As I got syphilis I am scared about HIV so I got an oralquick on the same day which comes back negative. I asked a lot of experts on this website. I actually don't know how I got infected by syphilis since I don't have any sore or symptoms at all. But experts do also tell me if I used condoms I don't need to worry about HIV a lot. By the way, the sex worker on April 23 told me that she got a test on May 11 and it was all fine. Can anyone give me some suggestion or advice?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As you had protected sex HIV is more unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.

I have gone through your query. As you had protected sex HIV is most unlikely. The test you had for syphilis which is a screening test and there is chances of false positive in this.

Any how taking benzathine penicillin shots or Doxycycline antibiotic for 1 week will clear of if there is syphilis infection also.

HIV in your case is more unlikely but you can go for a HIV DUO test after 28 th day from sexual contact you had. This is a very much sensitive test and by this you can assure yourself completely.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you so much. As I am really anxious about this, I got 1 dose of Penicillin just a few days after May 12. So based on your analysis I don't need to worry much about HIV infection right?

Best wishes, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you don't need to worry much about HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.

Thank you for your follow up query.

You don't need to worry much about HIV. For your own assurance you can go for a HIV DUO test on 28th day.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (5 minutes later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

That is many thanks to you. But I also asked another doctor who thought that cause I got syphilis I should worry a little bit about hiv....... Although almost all experts from medhelp forum told me I do not have risk exposure of HIV.... So I should just wait until 6 weeks for an oral quick is that ok?

Best wishes, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Better to go for HIV Duo test after 28 days.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Oral quick HIV test has 92 percent accuracy. So better to go for HIV Duo test after 28 days of exposure which is 99 to 100 percent accurate. You can wait till that time and go for this test. Like I previously told you , in your case HIV spreading is more unlikely. So stop worrying about that.

Let me know if you have any further queries.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (15 minutes later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you so much. But can I get DUO test at the University Health Center?

Best wishes, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It will be available.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

HIV Duo test is combination of p24 antigen test and antibody test. This will be available in your centre.

Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T