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Are Ulcers On The Genitals Indicative Of Syphilis?
Question: Hi,
I got a spot on my belly right beneath my belly button. Looks like herald patch. I then got a spot on my leg. A physician told me it was fungal and prescribed a cream. Treatment did not work. A different physician informed me that it was fungal and precribed APO FLUCONAZOLE 100 mg twice daily. I completed the treatment and the spots persisted and I started to get more spots into my body (arms and legs).
I went to see a third physician, a dermatologist this time who stated that my I had pityriasis rosea. She further stated that she highly doubts it, but needs to do her due diligence and therefore requested I get a blood test to rule out syphilis.
My question is the following:
I am in a monogamous relationship, I was tested 5 years ago for all STD's and my husband did as well. Are there any possibilities that I contracted syphillis prior to my current relationship and it did not show up in my last blood test? Can syphilis remain in a dormant phase undetected in the blood stream? From everything I have read, I do not see any evidence of this sort but wanted some professional advice regarding that.
Thank you
I got a spot on my belly right beneath my belly button. Looks like herald patch. I then got a spot on my leg. A physician told me it was fungal and prescribed a cream. Treatment did not work. A different physician informed me that it was fungal and precribed APO FLUCONAZOLE 100 mg twice daily. I completed the treatment and the spots persisted and I started to get more spots into my body (arms and legs).
I went to see a third physician, a dermatologist this time who stated that my I had pityriasis rosea. She further stated that she highly doubts it, but needs to do her due diligence and therefore requested I get a blood test to rule out syphilis.
My question is the following:
I am in a monogamous relationship, I was tested 5 years ago for all STD's and my husband did as well. Are there any possibilities that I contracted syphillis prior to my current relationship and it did not show up in my last blood test? Can syphilis remain in a dormant phase undetected in the blood stream? From everything I have read, I do not see any evidence of this sort but wanted some professional advice regarding that.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query.
Skin rash occurs in secondary syphilis.
Syphilis begins with a painless ulcer on genitals which is followed by skin rash within a few years.
Your description is not suggestive of syphilis.
If possible upload a photograph of the involved area.
This will help me in giving a closer diagnosis and better way of management.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.
Photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query.
Skin rash occurs in secondary syphilis.
Syphilis begins with a painless ulcer on genitals which is followed by skin rash within a few years.
Your description is not suggestive of syphilis.
If possible upload a photograph of the involved area.
This will help me in giving a closer diagnosis and better way of management.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you for your response. But my question was not answered. Can a blood test not detect syphilis until years later?
Is there a possibility of false negative? Essentially I a wondering if syphillis can be dormant and not detected via a blood test and then show up years later?
Is there a possibility of false negative? Essentially I a wondering if syphillis can be dormant and not detected via a blood test and then show up years later?
Brief Answer:
Get TPHA done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Specific blood test like TPHA can be done even after years.
It remains positive throughout life.
TPHA is not false positive.
Problem of false positive arises with VDRL.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Get TPHA done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Specific blood test like TPHA can be done even after years.
It remains positive throughout life.
TPHA is not false positive.
Problem of false positive arises with VDRL.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
So if I was tested negative years ago and since then have been in an exclusive monogamous relationship with my husband, any new tests should show up as negative. Correct?
Also, I apologize but I have no idea how to upload the pictures in order to show you the spots on my body that I was referring to.
Also, I apologize but I have no idea how to upload the pictures in order to show you the spots on my body that I was referring to.
Brief Answer:
Mail me photographs
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
If you tested negative then chances are rare that you have syphilis, even though I recommend you to get TPHA done.
You can mail me photographs on YYYY@YYYY with subject as ATTN DR XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.
Mail me photographs
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
If you tested negative then chances are rare that you have syphilis, even though I recommend you to get TPHA done.
You can mail me photographs on YYYY@YYYY with subject as ATTN DR XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi,
Thank you for your response. The dermatologist I saw ordered a ayphilis test VDRL and I did the blood test on Friday. I will be getting the results tomorrow (Monday). If results are negative do you still recommend a TPHA be done? If so, why? And what is that exactly?
Thank you
Thank you for your response. The dermatologist I saw ordered a ayphilis test VDRL and I did the blood test on Friday. I will be getting the results tomorrow (Monday). If results are negative do you still recommend a TPHA be done? If so, why? And what is that exactly?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Get TPHA done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
VDRL is a non specific test which can become false positive or become negative after a period of time.
TPHA is the definitive test so better get it done.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Get TPHA done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
VDRL is a non specific test which can become false positive or become negative after a period of time.
TPHA is the definitive test so better get it done.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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