How Long Does Recovery From Syphilis Take?

Posted on Fri, 4 Mar 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 4 Mar 2016 Answered on

Fri, 13 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 30 year old male. I had unprotected anal sex with a random female 15-20 days ago. 5 days ago I noticed a 2.5mm sore on my penis. This was the first time in my life. I went to the doctor, he asked me to get tested for various things. I went back to him with my reports yesterday. HIV non reactive. HSV non reactive. VDRL for Syphilis - Weak Reactive. TPFA for syphilis - Positive. I was given 2.4 miu of penicillin last night. How soon can I expect the sore to complete cure? How soon after the sore has gone can I restart sexual activity. Will I be completely cured? When and how often should I get tested again to know if the infection is gone or not?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Better to avoid unprotected sex for 3 months.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM

I have gone through your query. Usually single dose of penicillin injection is effective to clear syphilis. But it is given 2 or three doses at 1 week intervals to increase the efficacy.
Sores will usually disappear in 4 weeks time also. But better to avoid unprotected sex till 3 months time. You can again do a test after 3 months.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (3 hours later)

Thank you for the response.
Next set of questions:
1. You said avoid unprotected sex for three months. Does it include oral sex as well, once the sore has disappeared fully that is?
2. After 3 months when I get tested myself again, and the test results come out negative or non-reactive, does that mean it is completely cured? I mean like Herpes, does Syphilis still stay in the body even after getting treated successfully, to come back again at any time without any new exposure with it?
3. While the sore heals, can I masturbate if its not painful or uncomfortable?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Usually after 1 dose of penicillin itself the infection is cleared.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

1. Usually only one dose is enough to clear the infection. But it is better to avoid unprotected sex including unprotected oral till three months to be on safe side.

2. Syphilis doesn't stay in your system if treated with antibiotic like penicillin or doxycycline. So you will be completely cured. And i doesn't come back like herpes also. Only in the case if not treated it can go to secondary and tertiary stage.

3. Yes you can masturbate after sore heals if you are comfortable.

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

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar