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STDs (Expert Forum)
pregnant and syhillis test reactiv positiv
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
pregnant and syhillis test reactiv positiv
by mommytobe2010, Jul 28, 2009 01:58PM
The first time I did an STD test was in 2003, and the result for syphilis came back first reactive/non-reactive and the follow-up test then negative. The doctor said that I did not need to worry, because it was a false-positive. In 2005 I took a new test with the same results, but this time the doctor prescribed me and my partner to take antibiotics-just to be save.And we did. In 2008 I took a new test with the same results,again false-positive. Now I am pregnant 16 weeks (with the same partner) and the routine blood test of course came back again reactive-but this time the follow-up test apparently was positive, too! The doctor now wants to administrate us Penicillin shots for 3 weeks, saying that it will be save for the baby. What should I do? I don't want to do this, because I believe that I don't have syphilis and all my researches showed that pregnancy could cause false results. Am I putting my baby at risk if I don't take the shots? I am really worried. Please advice.thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Jul 28, 2009 02:52PM
, Jul 28, 2009 02:52PM
This is a difficult situation. The standard for diagnosis of syphilis using blood tests is to first do one kind of test called a "non-treponemal test" such as a RPR or VDRL test. If this is positive, then a second test, called "treponemal" test is performed to confirm whther the person has syphilis or the intial, non-treponemal test was falsely positive. If the treponemal test is positive, the diagnosis of syphilis is made and treatment provided. If the treponemal test is negative, as is probably the case for you in the past, then the intital test has been shown to be false positve and no treatment is required. False positve tests are more common in pregnancy.
If your husband's syphilis test is negative and you have had no other partners, the chance that you have syphilis is very, very low. Public health authoritites and many physicians prefer to err on the side of caution and to be 100% sure that the baby will be OK and therefore treat persons in your situation.
The issue ot whether you should be treated or not is something that you and your doctor need to work out. My guess is, based on your history, that your most recent test is falsely positve. This DOES sometimes happen in preganancy. Many of my patients in this situation choose to get the shots rather than fight things.
I'm not sure if this complicated explantion helps or not in this difficult situation. I hope so. EWH
If your husband's syphilis test is negative and you have had no other partners, the chance that you have syphilis is very, very low. Public health authoritites and many physicians prefer to err on the side of caution and to be 100% sure that the baby will be OK and therefore treat persons in your situation.
The issue ot whether you should be treated or not is something that you and your doctor need to work out. My guess is, based on your history, that your most recent test is falsely positve. This DOES sometimes happen in preganancy. Many of my patients in this situation choose to get the shots rather than fight things.
I'm not sure if this complicated explantion helps or not in this difficult situation. I hope so. EWH
