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Syphillis/HIV Question
#199956 - 07/13/06 09:27 PM
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Does anyone know the testing window (how long one needs to wait for a definitive antibody test) for syphillis? I've read that syphillis infection is commonly associated with HIV so I figure this question is not too off-topic.... I've been so worried about HIV but someone told me that syphillis might be the cause and I was tested very early after a possible exposure.
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The same recommendation as HIV 3 months. That said it's the same old game of never ending questions as to when will the test be reliable D.J.
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SA_Intellect
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Guru
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Reged: 03/27/06
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Posts: 247
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Loc: San Antonio, Texas
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Tests will detect antibodies to syphillis 3-4 weeks after exposure.
With HIV, the window is generally 12-13 weeks, though most who have it will test positive about 8 weeks after exposure.
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What are the symptoms of syphillis? Also does it go away on its own and can u test neg while having it? I experienced rattlesnakes chills up my spine after a sexual experience. A couple dayz after then found a little "pinch" sized soar on my area. Very unknown scary feeling. any experts feel free
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I've read up on it, but I am no expert. Below is what I understand as to symptoms but I would advise looking it up on the web:
1) It's initial symptoms mimic many other conditions so it can be hard to diagnose
2) It is bacterial, not viral but it will generally not clear on its own.
3) There are 4 stages of the infection. The inital stage is only a small canker usually near where the exposure occured, but it can be on the penis, vagina, anus or lips area. The canker can last a few weeks or more but will ultimately clear with no treatment.
4) The second stage has swollen glands, sores can appear anyhere on the body from a lot of them to only a few. Often there is a rash or discoloration/sores on the palsm of hte hands or soles of hte feet. I believe the sores are about penny sized or larger, and they ultimately heal but can leave a pinkish scar for a time.
5) It is my understnd that the later two stages only occur starting a few years later and most people are not symptomatic until the late stage that can cause many serious problems including death.
It is treatable with injectable penicillin except if it gets into your spinal/nervous system where it is harder to treat but can be treated. It can be diagnosed with a blood antibody test as well as a microscope examination of fluids from the sores. I've since learned that its window period is up to around 3 months like HIV.
This was the HIV of the world before penicillin as it caused untold millions of people to suffer greatly and ultimately die. It also left many people disfigured in the days before antibiotics. Today it is much less common although it is still seen (about 9,000 cases a year in the US I believe).
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See the link for more info:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/syphilis1.shtml
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The link below is in some sort of asian language but it has pics of the secondary syphillis sores/cancres for those interested:
http://www.skina.org//atlas/19syphilis/imagepages/image72.htm
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