Suggest Treatment For Syphilis
Single injection of Benzathine Penicillin is curative
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Hi
I can understand your concern.
TPHA (trepenoma pallidium hemagglutination test) is a screening test done in early cases of syphilis. If TPHA is positive, a nontreponemal test like VDRL should be performed to confirm diagnosis. Therefore, I suggest you to get VDRL done and not to worry as syphilis is completely curable.
Once TPHA is positive, it remains so for life, although there might be no disease and the person is non-infectious but the TPHA remains positive.
A single intramuscular injection of long acting Benzathine penicillin G (2.4 million units) will cure a person who has primary, secondary or early latent syphilis.
Hope this answers your query.
Suggestive of latent syphilis
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Hi
Thanks for your reply, noted its contents.
Reactive TPHA is suggestive of latent syphilis (a sexually transmitted disease).
The prescribed dose of 2.4 million units of Injection Benzathine Penicillin is the standard treatment for latent syphilis. As outlined earlier, the TPHA test may remain reactive even after the treatment is completed or syphilis is cured.
Since your wife was also detected to be positive for syphilis during her pregnancy she was given the treatment by her doctor.
Your baby also seems to be affected by syphilis which is reflected by a positive VDRL (this is referred to as congenital syphilis which may be asymptomatic).
Your baby also needs to be treated
The treatment involves injection Benzylpenicillin 50 mg/kg given intravenously 12-hrly for 7 days and 8-hrly for next 3 days.
An alternative treatment is injection Procaine penicillin G, 50,000 units/kg/day intramuscularly for 10 to 14 days.
For your baby VDRL test should be repeated at 1, 2, 4, 6 & 12 months. It should become nonreactive by 12 months of age if treated appropriately.
Hope the suggestions given above could be useful in getting the treatment done from your doctor.
Best regards.
Benzathine penicillin is a long acting penicillin
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Hi
Thanks for your reply, noted its contents and the uploaded result of the lab test.
Yes, Benzathine Penicillin is a long acting penicillin which is usually effective for 3-4 weeks. Since your baby has already been given Benzathine Penicillin, follow the instructions given by his doctor and the course of treatment can be completed with Procaine Penicillin from the days given for at least 10 days.
Hope this answers your query.
Best regards.