Positive RPR

[Freaked_Out47]

I am married 47 year old heterosexual male. I am in the final stages of an employment process and was called back to have another blood test after my original physical. I asked why and was told that they were conducting a RPR test for syphilis. I have been married 5 years to my current wife and monogamous. Over the years I have had unprotected sex and a few 1 time encounters in college. I have never had any of the sores on the palms or soles of my feet. I have a small clear bubble on the shaft of my penis and has been there for awhile. Other than that I've never seen any irregularity or 2nd stage symptoms. Worst case scenario, and I do have syphilis, it would most likely be in the final stage which I understand can be treated. How expensive is the follow up test and treatment and also, can my employer not hire me based on a positive test?

[Freaked_Out47]

happy to let it go. Just wanted to make sure since I have not actually had the chance for this to be explained to me. I was the middle man between the employer and the clinic. thanks for all you help.

[Vance2335]

I would let this go because your confirmation tests are non-reactive (negative). False positives do happen.

[Freaked_Out47]

My result are back. Apparently I had a positive RPR which was the reason for me to do the follow up. That was not explained to me. Anyway, The ran the FTA-ABS. T results of that test were NON-REACTIVE!  There is a place on the results that show

   REACTIVE 1:4   NON REACTIVE FOR CONFIRMATION OF POSITIVE RPR SCREENING TEST, REFER TO RPR CONFIRMATION RESULT ON THIS REPORT

FTA-ABS
RPR (DX)  W/REFL TITER AND CONFIRMATORY TESTING

IN RANGE:  NON-REACTIVE          REFERENCE RANGE   NON-REACTIVE

    Does this mean I could of had it in my system and should I follow up with this result.......

[Freaked_Out47]

I was called back for the RPR test. The PA insinuated that it was requested for the City DR (possible employer). There was an original blood test and a call back for the RPR which is due back today. Did I overreact and it was a formality that was overlooked the fist time? The PA did not say it was a retest.......

[gracefromHHP]

nothing in your other blood tests would trigger them to want to test for syphilis unless you had a RPR or VDRL test done first that was + or a TP-PA or FTA-ABS test come back + from your first batch of testing.    

usually syphilis is not grounds for not hiring someone but it depends on the employer.  

you'll have better answers soon when your results come back :)

[Freaked_Out47]

thanks. never had any sores described in the articles I've read. The one I described is at the top of my scrotum rather than the shaft as I stated. Anyway, I'm just hoping for a negative results. I cant imagine having to face my spouse and current coworkers who know I've all been hired expect for the medical. Thanks for the advice.  

[Vance2335]

Middle East is weird with hiring and work visas...so only the potential employer can answer that.
No you would not be contagious at this point if it was aquired a while ago. You can only really spread syphilis when you have the first and only syphilis sore present.

[Freaked_Out47]

I am in the US. Neither of us give blood. We traveled for about 4 years around the world and have only been back for about 10 months. I have had numerous test for different employers. Last was a complete physical and blood test for a job in the Middle East which screened for all types of STDs. No positive results there. That was 2005.   The title of my post may be misleading. They are running the RPR today. Something in my blood test triggered the doctor to run the test. Also, back in September 09 I had a series of blood work done for heart testing. I had a nuclear test/stress test done then and was injected with that serum. Would something like that show up on my blood work. As I understand it, if I do have syphilis it would be from many years ago. Am I still contagious and again does anyone know if that is grounds for not hiring someone. Any feedback is appreciated.

[gracefromHHP]

Are you in the US? If so, you can have your local health department handle this for you as far as proper testing at a low/no cost and low cost treatment.  Call your local health department and see what your options are :)

your partner also needs tested to know their own status.

do either of you give blood regularly?

grace

[Vance2335]

Your questions can not be answered here because test pricing is different all over the world and so is treatment pricing and so is employer rules.

You would have to speak with a Dr on pricing and your potential employer about hiring practices.