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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?
Question: Hi there. I took an rfr screening blood test for syphilis today at 9:45am and completely forgot that I drank 3 beers stopping at 9pm the night before. Will the consumption of 3 beers skew my results? Should I retest?
Brief Answer:
Full history and examination decide whether to repeat the test or not.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thank you for posting your query.
RPR test is detecting antibodies against Treponema Pallidum, the causative organism for Syphilis. If it had been formed already, this would not be affected by the beer consumed by you last night.
But there are situations, where in the presence a syphilitic infection, RPR might be nonreactive. If it had been done very early (prior to 4 weeks after the exposure) and in a situation called as prozone phenomena, you can expect a nonreactive test report in the presence of an infection.
So consult an expert in the field nearby and clarify whether you have to repeat the test or not and how.
Dr S.Murugan
Full history and examination decide whether to repeat the test or not.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thank you for posting your query.
RPR test is detecting antibodies against Treponema Pallidum, the causative organism for Syphilis. If it had been formed already, this would not be affected by the beer consumed by you last night.
But there are situations, where in the presence a syphilitic infection, RPR might be nonreactive. If it had been done very early (prior to 4 weeks after the exposure) and in a situation called as prozone phenomena, you can expect a nonreactive test report in the presence of an infection.
So consult an expert in the field nearby and clarify whether you have to repeat the test or not and how.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you son much Dr that is very helpful. My last questionable incident was 6 years ago and during that time I did a blood test with my doctor 6 weeks after that incident. I just recently read though that I should wait 12 weeks for testing so this lead me to be concerned 6 years later. As a result I took a RPR test and had a second test, the FTA-ABS taken today as well separately.
My final questions are...
1. Was my original 6 week test that I took 6 years ago reliable negative?
2. Will the RPR and separate FTA-ABS tests I took today detect recent active and later syphilis if I have it? I'm concerned that it's been too long for a test to be accurate again giving a false negative.
Thank you so much
My final questions are...
1. Was my original 6 week test that I took 6 years ago reliable negative?
2. Will the RPR and separate FTA-ABS tests I took today detect recent active and later syphilis if I have it? I'm concerned that it's been too long for a test to be accurate again giving a false negative.
Thank you so much
Brief Answer:
Not to worry about the possibility of false negative report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
RPR test 6 weeks after the risky contact was highly reliable as the antibodies against Syphilis could become reactive as early as 4 weeks after exposure.
If the infection is not treated properly, RPR dilutions may vary. The specific test (like FTA-ABS) will remain reactive for ever even after complete cure. False negative is not common. Not to worry.
Dr S Murugan
Brief Answer:
Consummation of beer would not influence the outcome of FTA-ABS test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Once again FTA-ABS test also detects the antibodies against Syphilis. Consummation of beer would not influence the outcome of FTA-ABS test result.
Dr S Murugan
Not to worry about the possibility of false negative report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
RPR test 6 weeks after the risky contact was highly reliable as the antibodies against Syphilis could become reactive as early as 4 weeks after exposure.
If the infection is not treated properly, RPR dilutions may vary. The specific test (like FTA-ABS) will remain reactive for ever even after complete cure. False negative is not common. Not to worry.
Dr S Murugan
Brief Answer:
Consummation of beer would not influence the outcome of FTA-ABS test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Once again FTA-ABS test also detects the antibodies against Syphilis. Consummation of beer would not influence the outcome of FTA-ABS test result.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thanks you so much doctor. And I forgot to check and confirm that the 3 beers I consumed the night before the test will also not impact my FTA-ABS results correct? I'll close this thread after this last question. Are the oraquick at-home saliva HIV tests accurate even years after potential exposure to HIV?
I took a test 5 days ago, 6 years after potential exposure (protected intercourse with female status unknown). The test was negative. I took the same test again yesterday because I read that oraquick results can sometimes be innacurate. Yesterday's test was also negative.
Can I consider these two negative tests 6 years after potential exposure conclusive or should I take a gen 4 blood test. Thank you.
I took a test 5 days ago, 6 years after potential exposure (protected intercourse with female status unknown). The test was negative. I took the same test again yesterday because I read that oraquick results can sometimes be innacurate. Yesterday's test was also negative.
Can I consider these two negative tests 6 years after potential exposure conclusive or should I take a gen 4 blood test. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
FTA-ABS test results would not be interfered with the consummation of beer.
Oraquick test for HIV 6 years after the exposure will be highly reliable. As two test report came non-reactive, you are free from HIV infection.
Dr S Murugan
You are free from HIV infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
FTA-ABS test results would not be interfered with the consummation of beer.
Oraquick test for HIV 6 years after the exposure will be highly reliable. As two test report came non-reactive, you are free from HIV infection.
Dr S Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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