Syphilis Risks

[aznbabes]

HI Health Nurse,


Since the only route of transmission of syphilis is via chancre(my assumption, let me know if there are other ways of transmission). Is it safe to assume that SPs can see if they guy is healthy enough for BBBJ? IF a SP sees a chancre on the penis, she probably won't proceed with BBBJ, therefore, her mouth will not be exposed. Conversely, if I were to look around in a SP's mouth b4 oral sex, I wouldn't have a high risk for contracting syphilis if she doesn't have a chancre. Does this work?

Thanks

 

[Health Nurse]

HI Health Nurse,


Since the only route of transmission of syphilis is via chancre(my assumption, let me know if there are other ways of transmission). Is it safe to assume that SPs can see if they guy is healthy enough for BBBJ? IF a SP sees a chancre on the penis, she probably won't proceed with BBBJ, therefore, her mouth will not be exposed. Conversely, if I were to look around in a SP's mouth b4 oral sex, I wouldn't have a high risk for contracting syphilis if she doesn't have a chancre. Does this work?

Thanks

Hi aznbabes

A chancre is the sore (lesion) that can develop when someone first gets syphilis (primary syphilis). The fluid from the chancre is infectious and usually develops were the syphilis bacteria entered the body. This infectious fluid in the sore (chancre) is what will pass syphilis to another person. This would be true for a case of primary syphilis.

With secondary syphilis you can also get small mucous patches (lesions) around or in the mouth, on the penis, around the anus, inside the vagina or on its lips. These are generally painless and ooze fluid that is infectious. These could develop regardless of where syphilis entered your body e.g. you could get a primary syphilis sore on your penis from having vaginal sex but develop the mucous patches in the mouth during the secondary stage.

I saw a man at the Bute street clinic on Friday with this. He had small lesions on his penis as well as in his mouth. The ones in the mouth were hard to see.

I think it would be a great idea to have a look before a bbbj, most of the syphilis lesions I have seen in the past were obvious on the penis.

It is more difficult to see the lesions when they are in the mouth, vagina or anus.

We are still finding that most people who test positive for syphilis can not remember any symptoms. Given this make sure your doctor does a syphilis blood test when you get a check up.


HN
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