Dr. Syed Peerzada Tehmid Ul Haque
Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I screened for STD, chlamydia and gonorrhoea and the test resulys was negative. I did two tests for syphilis, first was the RPR Q test which came back with a value of 1:1, and Treponema pallidum antibodies which came back negative. I repeated both tests, and the result was the same. I know I do not have antibodies, but why did the syphilis RPR come back positive twice? Please help me.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Well, a 1:1 RPR (rapid plasma reagin) titre does not signify much in presence of negative treponemal tests. Only a rise in titre has significance. Did you have syphillis in past? It can even occur if you have had viral illness like chicken pox or others like lymes or certain pneumonias or may not even an have an identifiable cause.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
No, I never had any STD in the past. I had other viral illness when I was a kid. Do you suggest I should follow up with another doctor?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It will depend upon your risk behavior. Suppose you have a high risk for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) like multiple sex partners, frequent unprotected intercourse, and IV (intravenous) drug use. In that case, you may need aggressive follow-up a retesting after two to four weeks. Similarly, if you have symptoms or signs suggestive of an STD, you will need an aggressive search for a cause. On the other hand, suppose you are asymptomatic and do not have a definite predisposing history to STD, and an exhaustive search for STDs came back negative. In that case, this may be a false positive test and does not signify much. You may choose to get retested after six months or so.
Thank you.
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Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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