Syphilitic tonsillitis in primary care: a case report

Abstract

Syphilis in the UK continues to be reported, with outbreaks occurring particularly among men who have sex with men. Secondary syphilis classically presents with cutaneous lesions affecting the skin and mucous membranes with or without genital involvement. This report describes a case of secondary syphilis in a patient who presented with tonsillitis and peri-oral rash and encourages GPs to explore risk factors and offer testing for sexually transmitted infections. A 25-year old man who has sex with men and had a 2-week history of a sore throat as well as a facial and genital rash attended a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. He was otherwise well, had no significant past medical history, and was not taking any medication. He had a regular male partner and had no other sexual partners in the 6 months prior to presentation. He had initially attended his GP after experiencing the triad of symptoms; he did not describe his genital symptoms to the GP as he was not questioned about them and did not feel they were important. He was given a 7-day course of amoxicillin for potential bacterial tonsillitis. As …