After sex, how prolonged should we wait for until we get a syphilis exam to have certain a pathogen has already shown up??
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR SYPHILIS TO SHOW UP IN A BLOOD TEST?
October 5, 2009 by: admin
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Syphilis is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum and is characterized by 3 sequential clinical, symptomatic stages separated by periods of asymptomatic latent infection. Common manifestations include genital ulcers, skin lesions, meningitis, aortic disease, and neurologic syndromes. Diagnosis is by serologic tests and adjunctive tests selected based on the disease stage. Penicillin is the drug of choice.
Venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test
A negative test is normal and means that no antibodies to syphilis have been detected. The screening test is most likely be positive in secondary and latent syphilis. During primary and tertiary syphilis this test may be falsely negative.
Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)- False-negatives may occur in persons with early- and late-stage syphilis. More testing may be needed before ruling out syphilis.
Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test- A positive FTA-ABS usually indicates infection with syphilis. This test result will remain positive for life even if syphilis has been adequately treated. Therefore, it cannot be used to monitor the treatment of syphilis.