Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed. Sore or skin sample A sample of fluid or tissue may be taken from an open sore or from a rash that might be caused by syphilis. A fluid sample is obtained by gently pressing the sore. Skin or mucous membrane samples may be obtained by gently rubbing a cotton-tipped swab over the area. Spinal fluid sample A spinal tap lumbar puncture is done to collect a spinal fluid sample for syphilis testing.
How It Feels Blood sample The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm or from your fingertip. Sore or skin sample You may feel some discomfort when fluid is collected from an open sore. Spinal fluid sample You may feel some discomfort during a lumbar puncture to collect spinal fluid. Risks Blood sample There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from your fingertip or a vein.
You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken.
This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this. Sore or skin sample There is very little risk of problems from having a sample taken from an open sore, skin rash, or mucous membrane.
Spinal fluid sample There is little risk linked with having a lumbar puncture to obtain a spinal fluid sample. Results Syphilis tests tell if a person has the disease. Results are usually available in 7 to 10 days. Darkfield microscopic examination Normal: No syphilis germs are seen. Abnormal: Syphilis germs are seen. Syphilis tests of blood and spinal fluid Normal: No syphilis antibodies are found. This is called a nonreactive or negative result.
Abnormal: Antibodies are found. This is called a reactive or positive test. A result that is not clearly normal or abnormal is called inconclusive or equivocal. Testing may need to be repeated if: Results of the first test are uncertain.
You have had repeated exposure to syphilis, such as from repeated unprotected intercourse. What Affects the Test You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if: You use antibiotics before you have the test. You have a blood transfusion in the weeks before having the test. You have another condition or disease, such as lupus, liver disease, HIV infection, or a tropical bacterial infection called yaws. In the United States, your health professional must report to the state health department that you have syphilis.
To learn more about testing for sexually transmitted infections, see: Gonorrhea Test. Chlamydia Tests. Herpes Tests. Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis BV. Vaginal Wet Mount. HIV Test. Table 1. To discriminate between a falsely reactive screening result and past syphilis, a second treponemal-specific antibody test is recommended using a method that is different from the initial screen test eg, - TP-PA.
Further historical evaluation is necessary to distinguish between these scenarios. Table 1 If syphilis remains clinically suspected, a second specimen should be submitted for testing. Only available as a reflex test. Treponema pallidum -particle agglutination TP-PA has been ordered to distinguish between infection with T pallidum syphilis versus a falsely reactive treponemal antibody result.
Despite active syphilis, serologic tests may be negative in severely immunosuppressed patients such as those with AIDS.
In cases of untreated, late, or latent syphilis, the result of rapid plasma reagin may be negative. However, the syphilis screening test multiplex flow immunoassay and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination should be positive. A thorough clinical and historical evaluation should be performed to determine if treatment for latent syphilis is required.
Discordant results from reverse sequence syphilis screening-five laboratories, United States, The RPR test can be used to screen for syphilis. It is used to screen people who have symptoms of sexually transmitted infections and is routinely used to screen pregnant women for the disease. The test is also used to see how treatment for syphilis is working. After treatment with antibiotics, the levels of syphilis antibodies should fall. These levels can be monitored with another RPR test.
Unchanged or rising levels can mean a persistent infection. The test is similar to the venereal disease research laboratory VDRL test. A negative test result is considered normal. However, the body does not always produce antibodies specifically in response to the syphilis bacteria, so the test is not always accurate.
False-negatives may occur in people with early- and late-stage syphilis. More testing may be needed before ruling out syphilis. Because there are some problems with its interpretation, further testing is often needed to confirm a syphilis diagnosis.
If a person tests positive, they may require an additional test to confirm the presence of syphilis. If a person tests negative, their doctor may request that they repeat the test in a few weeks, especially if they suspect syphilis is present or if a person is considered high risk.
Syphilis is a treatable condition and, with treatment, a person can typically expect to make a full recovery. However, if syphilis is left untreated, people may experience severe complications. It is essential to talk to a doctor about the RPR test when experiencing symptoms of syphilis infection.
The Epstein-Barr virus is a type of herpes virus. It is very common, and because the symptoms are quite general, a doctor may order an Epstein-Barr…. It is possible to contract many STIs through oral sex, including herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Learn more about the conditions and prevention. Sexually transmitted infections STIs usually spread through sexual contact. Here, learn how to recognize, treat, and prevent some common STIs. For some types of blood tests, a person may need to fast beforehand.
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