RPR Test

Hi Dr. Hansfield:

Thanks for the forum, your service is invaluable and there are no words to describe your contribution. I'll keep this short and I hope it helps someone else at some point.

My doctor was a bit short with me on the result of my RPR test.  I had a low risk encounter about 20 months ago.  I wasn't really worried about syphilis a ton but I wanted piece of mind since I thought I had a few symptoms.  I got a RPR test at an annual physical as he suggested I should for piece of mind.  The result came back non-reactive.  Anyway, I was reading somewhere on the forum that at times the RPR can be negative after a long period of time even if one is positive but wanted to know if the 20 months was a long period of time or if we were talking about several years.  Just looking to put it behind me once and for all.

Thanks in advance.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It typically takes 4-6 weeks for the RPR to become positive in someone with syphilis.  Without treatment, it would generally rmain positive for many years.  You can be sure you didn't acquire syphilis during the encounter 20 months ago.

Good luck--  HHH, MD