Quick question regarding syphilis test results...I wanted to know if someone had a previous test that showed reactive for syphilis and was treated by one inj. on each side of their buttock and about a year and a half later took another syphilis test and it shows non reactive using the methods of blood,RPRcard TP-PA could that mean the person never had syphilis in the beginning especially if they never went back for follow up prior to the new results confirming a non reactive. The reason for this question is causse my friend has syphilis and he said that the labwork from the moment he got syphilis and was treated and even if he took the syphilis test today that a Titer would always be present to let the Dr. Know he was infected cause his blood even though having his syphilis treated he states his blood is tinted and will always show as reactive for syphilis and if he's gotten reinfected they'd have to check his titel again that syphilis isn't something that is treated leaves the body and never again shows itself in another test..that they'll always be a titer regardless.is this true what's you imput?
"I read up that fta abs and tppa can be innacurate in the tertiary stage (false negative)": Not true; it applies only to RPR. You read wrong or you found an unreliable source.
Please accept the reassurance you have been given. Drop syphilis from your mind. It is impossible that you have it.
That's truly the end of this thread.
thank you doctor, yes i was sexually active at 15. thank you, i do understand you said you wont have any further advice, but i had one last question. I read up that fta abs and tppa can be innacurate in the tertiary stage (false negative) along with the rpr too, is this correct? cus thats what i would be in if i had it. that irritation on my face looks really similar to gumma plaque (round ring worm look, but wont go away with ringworm medication, i have 5 of them on my face) can those tests be innacurate in tertiary stage sometimes. I hope you can answer this last question. Thank you!
Welcome to the STD forum.
I'm puzzled by the initial history. Were you sexually active at age 15? If so, your story sounds plausible: very early in syphilis (e.g., primary stage with a penile sore) the RPR often is negative but other tests are positive -- sometimes only weakly. However, it is also possible you never had syphilis at all, especially since the later tests were entirely negative. Penicillin therapy is highly reliable and so are the later blood tests. It is not possible to have syphilis and have negative RPR, FTA-ABS, and TPPA results.
Therefore, your test results mean one of two things is true: a) you never had syphilis at all; or b) you had syphilis but it was cured and has not returned. Either way, you can be sure you do not have it now. Something else is the cause of any and all symptoms you have. You need no additional diagnostic tests or treatment. No medicines have any effect on the test results. That takes care of questions 1-3.
As for questions 4 and 5, your negative HIV tests prove you did not catch HIV. If you have not had other potential high risk exposures to HIV, you do not need any addtional tests.
So definitely no worries about syphilis or HIV. Of course see a doctor or clinic about other causes of your symptoms, if they continue or you remains worred about them.
Regards-- HHH, MD
I saw these comments before I replied above. They make no difference in my opinion or advice. However, your comments about anxiety and stress do suggest you might benefit from professional counseling. You should discuss this with your primary care doctor or clinic. Also see the dermatologist as you are planning, but do not worry at all about syphilis or HIV.
That's all for this thread. I won't have any further advice.
FYI: i was using the cream for what the DR thought was ringworm, which went away but came back after i discontinued the cream, so i used the cream even longer, then i discontinued it again, the irritation came back, and plus my skin was addicted to the cream when i stopped , so it made my skin very rough and dry, i have an appointment with a dermatologist now. one more question i had 7) does taking anxiety meds, muscle supplements or quitting smoking affect the tests? (i was a strong smoker for 7 years and i quit few weeks before the tests) . sorry i just cannot sleep right now, worrying the worst.
P.s. i never had sexual contact with anyone a year before the tests in 2009 were taken up til present. Please respond to my numbered questions and also if you have extra information and knowledge to add on and provide that would be greatly appreciated as well. I just want to make sure I am clean of diseases, I have been getting alot of anxiety and stress thinking about this, sometimes to the point where it affects my daily life, and your opinion will make me understand things better and have a plan to take proper action if one is needed and calm my nerves. thank you in advance doc!!