Test Show Reactive After Treatment

[PaulCali]

Hello Doctor,

I unfortunately infected with Syphilis over 2 years ago.  I was treated in Mar 2006.  However, everytime I retest for Syphilis, the RPR number has always been shown as "Reactive". It never goes to "Non-active" status. Below is my test result since 2006.  The RPR titer numbers show as below:

Mar 06: 4A - DILS
Apr 06: 4A - DILS
May 06: 4A - DILS
Jun 06: 2A - DILS
Jun 07: 2A - DILS
Feb 08: 2A - DILS
Jun 08: 2A  - DILS

I confuss and worry because the above numbers till indicates that l have Syphils after my initial treatment more than 2 years ago?  Could you please help me to interpret the above result?  

Thank you for your advise.

[auntiejessi]

There isn't any real reason, except that they are looking for antibodies, and some people just carry them forever.

As long as you remain at a 1 or 2, you are fine.  You could still get syphilis again, so if your numbers ever increase, you should be treated again.

Aj

[PaulCali]

Thank you, Aj.  Yes, I was treated in Mar 06 when it was at 4 DILS.  I didn't get any "proper" explain from my Doctor why my tests still show Reactive on every test.  That makes me so worry.

[auntiejessi]

If you have a 1 or 2, you are fine.  You might never go below that, and some people will stay reactive forever.  

So you tested at 4, and were treated then?  Did they determine that it was an old infection and couldn't document treatment, or what?  Normally, an active infection would produce much higher results.

In any case, you might not ever be "non-reactive."

Aj