Dr. Meha Malhotra
Dermatology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I have the first stage of syphilis. I came to know about this last month. From the past three weeks, I am under treatment and taking Doxycycline 100 mg capsule twice a day. I took this medication for 15 days. Yesterday, I had a blood test done for VDRL (Venereal Disease research Laboratory) and my value is reactive (1:4). Also, the ulcer on my penis head has not yet healed. I was asked to apply povidone-iodine 10 % ointment on the ulcer. Should I go for Penicillin treatment? I got tested for HIV1 and 2 tests (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and CMIA (Chemiluminescence Microparticle Immunoassay)a month back with a value of 0.15 and before ten days, the value was 0.13. Currently, I am consulting a dermatologist. Should I switch to sexologist for syphilis treatment? Also, please suggest what diet should I follow to overcome this disease?
Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com.
Please continue treatment with a dermatologist only. There is no medical degree which qualifies one to be a sexologist. Penicillin is the most definitive treatment for syphilis but get the allergy test done before taking the full treatment. Apply Mupirocin ointment twice a day on the Ulcer. Continue your doctor's treatment as he or she is examining you in-person so is the best judge for the line of management.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
One more question, today I had nucleic acid testing for HIV-1 (RNA), the test result was lower than detectable limit. I am not sure what this means. Does this mean that I do not have HIV or should I wait for three months window period to complete to check once again? I went for HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) RNA (Ribonucleic acid) test as someone suggested that it can detect if HIV virus is there within 9 to 11 days window period.
Hi, Welcome back to icliniq.com.
What I could understand is that this was a PCR test for HIV RNA. I need to know the time duration since the exposure to be able to comment for sure. Fourth generation ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test is to be done at six weeks and repeated at three months to be sure. The PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction) test comes positive in three to four weeks.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I was exposed two months back.
Hi, Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Get a fourth generation ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for HIV 1 and 2 done at three months from exposure to be sure.
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Dermatology
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