Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How To Test For Syphilis?
Question: I am a married man. This summer I stepped out of my relationship this summer - I received oral sex around July 15th August 13th-I visit clinic. I was tested for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, and HIV all results return negative (even though I was early for the syphilis window). I was also treated with Rocephin 250, 1g Azthromycin, and of course 2.4 MU BPG. On August 15,16th I had sex with my wife where we conceived. I was confident that i was fully covered from STD even though I had not cleared the window. I had read a post from Dr. Handsfield on medhelp saying that you are non infectious 24 hours after the shot of BPG (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/How-long-are-you-contagious-after-treatment-for-syphilis/show/0000) On 9/17 (4 weeks after last exposure) My wife has all her normal tests done with OB/GYN. To both of our suprise the RPR turns up positive (1:1) and the confirmatory done by chemiluminescence (which I though was weird) was negative. I freak out, tell her about the indsicretion She is tested for syphilis via RPR and EIA again 2 weeks later just over 6 weeks from our last sex(Which I have read on medhelp a number of times is conclusive via Dr. Handsfield). The doctor was satisfied but I had read the Trep-Sure test they used, would not be the best test during Primary syphilis.
Are these test sufficient for my wife?
Could I have passed syphilis to her even being treated about 48 hours before our sex
Are these test sufficient for my wife?
Could I have passed syphilis to her even being treated about 48 hours before our sex
Brief Answer:
RPR can give false positive results.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
I have gone through the details. RPR test is not specific. RPR can give false positive results .
Chemiluminescence test is specific and is negative .Moreover repeat test of RPR and EIA tests have also come negative.It is unlikely for her to have syphilis. So you can relax.As negative it is unlikely you had syphilis and passed to her.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist.
RPR can give false positive results.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
I have gone through the details. RPR test is not specific. RPR can give false positive results .
Chemiluminescence test is specific and is negative .Moreover repeat test of RPR and EIA tests have also come negative.It is unlikely for her to have syphilis. So you can relax.As negative it is unlikely you had syphilis and passed to her.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok. Thanka for the answere. What about the preventive BPG 2.4 MU. Wouls that of rendered me non infectious in 24 hours like the link I provided from Dr. Handsfield.
Brief Answer:
Can render noninfectious .
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
BPG is very effective against syphilis and can make non infectious but cannot be taken as within 24 hours always .
Do not worry about it as she is negative.
You can get back for any clarification
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
Can render noninfectious .
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
BPG is very effective against syphilis and can make non infectious but cannot be taken as within 24 hours always .
Do not worry about it as she is negative.
You can get back for any clarification
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ia it possible the follow up testing two weeks after the original were false negatives?
Brief Answer:
RPR and EIA both unlikely to be false negative
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Two tests RPR and EIA are unlikely to be false negative. Both are negative.So very unlikely.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
RPR and EIA both unlikely to be false negative
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Two tests RPR and EIA are unlikely to be false negative. Both are negative.So very unlikely.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Six weeks was enough time for the tests to be accurate?
Brief Answer:
May be conclusive after 90 days.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Usually by 3 weeks it should come positive if exposed.But the incubation period of syphilis varies from 9 to 90 days. So to conclusively say negative we have to repeat after 90 days.
In your case unlikely to be exposed.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
May be conclusive after 90 days.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Usually by 3 weeks it should come positive if exposed.But the incubation period of syphilis varies from 9 to 90 days. So to conclusively say negative we have to repeat after 90 days.
In your case unlikely to be exposed.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
