Positive Sphyllis Result for Life

[WorriedMom39]

Hello,

I am now 39 and was exposed to sphyllis since 1988.  I have received numerous Benzathine Pencillin over the years and still remain reactive 1-2. I am very worried about my daughter who was born positive but became negative after 2-3 months testing. Will she be embarrased with a history of syphillis in the future should she do a RPR or TPA test.  It is my understanding that once you have had a positive  RPR, your TPA remains positive even if you do not have the disease or was treated.   My son born two years later is negative and my husband is also negative.

I would like to help or save my daughter from the scorn, stare and ridicule that I receive and will until the rest of my life.   My biggest problem is that I do have break out or syphllids cutaneous on my shoulders, and back, depsite the treatment, is this the way I will have to live or will the break out eventually stop? They do itch, and are scaly more like a fungus.  I use Lotrim/Lamisil at all times, but they leave a dark scar. The lats Dr. I saw prescribed ketaconzole for teh elsiosn and my dermatologist gave me Tetracyline and clyndomycin to put on the papules.

Please help if you can, I really appreciate the info.
I welcome your recommendation should you think we need  to see a specialist.

Thanks, keep up the good work.

Worriedmon
Ohio

[Vance2335]

Start a thread dedicated to your question and it will be answered,

[gaurav70]

I had been tested TPHA positive.that is 1:80 on qualitative assay in 2009 december.The doc gave me treatment of benzathine penicillin for three weeks.Now in march 2011,i got tested again..i am 1:320.on TPHA.Does it mean i have caught the problem again?I donot have the symptoms of syphilis now.I donot see any chancre on my skin..but yes,i do feel some irritation around my genitals sometimes like itchiness.Help me.

[auntiejessi]

I don't know of any syphilis support groups, but you can try and google it.

However, you don't have syphilis, and if your daughter has tested negative before, she will continue to do so.

AJ

[WorriedMom39]

Thanks for all the informative information.  Much appreciated.

Bkrick-  I was treated before I got pregnant with my daughter (2000) I was treated again about 13-14 weeks (2001).  When we got home from the hospital I was treated again (Jul, 2001).  The nurse told me that it is okay to breastfeed so I did, now I am wondering if this will affect her overall FTA test remaining positive for life.

These continuous treatment of Pencillin have all but changed the bacteria in my system. It is known that Pencillin will change the body's overall flora, hence my suseptibility to fungus and fungus growth on my skin.

I have been taking Probiotics, but I am not assured that I will ever not have a fungus problem. Lamisil and other fungus cream are apart of my routine.  I read recently in a CDC brochure that some people still show signs and symptoms for years even after treatment.

I would welcome a support group or other individuals who may be having the same problem and would not mind sharing information. This maybe far fetched due to the stigma attached to STD's.

[bkrick]

Yes and conversly a negative RPR and positive FTA-ABS would indicate a past infection that has been cleared.

[auntiejessi]

The RPR results of a 1:1 or a 1:2 is a titer result.  If you had an active infection, it would be much higher, or it would be climbing.  I've seen as high 1:1048, but that patient had AIDS.

As BK says, if the RPR is positive, but the FTA-ABS is negative, you don't have the bacteria, so its a negative result.

AJ

[bkrick]

I'm not familiar with the test results 1-2 etc. But here is what I know: Syphilis is caused by a the bacteria Treponema pallidum. As a result of an infection, your body produces antibodies to fight off the infection. The RPR test takes an extract from a cow's heart and tests to see if your blood serum has antibodies that will stick to the heart. This test is non-specific meaning that many other conditions can cause a positive result. The more sensitive test is the FTA-ABS which is the flurescent trepenemal antibody- absorbtion test. In this test the lab uses extract of bacteria of the trepeonemal speciecs such as syphylis and tests to see if you have antibodies produced against syphilis. Now the interpretation of these tests is a bit tricky, but it has been shown that once exposed and treated to syphilis the FTA-ABS will remain positive throughout life. This means that your immune system has done its job and that next time you are exposed to syphylis, if you ever are, your antibodies will react to the syphilis and remove it from your system so you do not get infected. This is a normal healthy immune response. Typically the level of circulating antibodies will decrease over time as you age..... this is why for example you need tetnus booster shots. A positive FTA-ABS is normal in your case. On top of that syphylis is exquisitly sensitive to benzathine penicillin.

I can't make a specific comment on your childs status because I dont know if you were treated before, during or after your pregnancy. But if you were treated before, it sounds likely that your child was not infected with the bacteria. As a fetus, your child was being protected from your antibodies including that antibody from syphylis. When your child was born, she had the antibody in her system. This usually lasts a few months and is know as passive immunity. This is a protective mechanism because an infants immune system is not fully developed early after birth. Antibodies can also be transferred in breast milk. Since your child is not making antibody against syphylis on her own, these antibodies will comptelely go away after a few months and result in a negative test.

Sorry for the long explaination, but just keep in mind the the FTA-ABS test for syphylis is not testing for the bacteria, but it is testing for the antibody produced by your immune system as a result of an infection. The FTA-ABS usually will remain present even after treatment. This is normal.

Hope that eases your mind a bit,
~bk

[auntiejessi]

I'm not sure what you mean.  Your testing negative is a good thing.

Some people will continue to test positive, but with really low results, like worriedmom.  Others will test negative, like you.  You aren't testing for the bacteria (syphilis isn't a virus), but for antibodies to it.  Some people will always have those antibodies, others won't.  It means nothing.

There's nothing to worry about.

AJ

[auntiejessi]

You can't remove it from your blood.  Its just there.  I'm not sure why you keep testing for it though.  You are married, and your husband is negative.  There isn't any medical reason to keep testing.  If your docs think that you will eventually become negative, you need new docs.  

Look at it this way.  If you had the chicken pox as a child, you would still test positive for antibodies to it.  That's not leaving you feeling shamed, is it?  

My guess is that you feel shame because this is an std, but guess what?  We all have sex.  Some people get STDs, some don't.  But in 1988, you were an adult having sex.  I am also 39, and I had sex in 1988.  I didn't get syphilis, but I got HPV.  So what?  If they had an antibody test for that, I would still test positive for that, too.

About 80% of folks will get an std in their lifetime, so its important to keep perspective.

This doesn't mean you are scarred.  It means you had a bacterial infection, and that's all.  If you are getting snubbed at a medical office, you need to report that.  

I don't think your docs are helping your mindset, if they are even thinking that this is syphilis.   It is probably only contributing to your shame by thinking that all these years later, you are still having symptoms.

I hope you get the symptoms resolved, and there's no need to rush your daughter in for a test.  If she tested negative before, then it is likely she will test negative again.  Perhaps the next time she has blood drawn, the doc can test at that time.

But get the rash cultured next time you get it, if you get it again.  If all you have are white spots now, they probably wouldn't be able to culture it.  If the steroid shot cleared it up, then its probably a fungal thing you picked up somewhere.  If it comes back, just get it cultured.

But be kind to yourself, and remember that stds are not moral statements.  

AJ

[WorriedMom39]

Hi,

Many thanks for your prompt response.

I have never had them cultured, I will endeavor to get that done asap. On my last visit with my dermatologist, he  gave me a steriod shot, it dried it up but now I am left with a white patch, or whitening of the skin where he injected.  I tried having my daughter tested last year when she turn 6, and the Pediatrician said it was not necessary.  I will insist that it is done, it will surely give me some peace of mind.

Unfortunately, society does not accept individuals who are scarred. It is heart wrenching for me to go to the Dr. and see the stares and health care individuals look at you and turn up there noses. If there is anything I can do to remove this from my blood I will hastily do same, it is debilitating and depressing

Thanks for your advice.

Worried Mom

[auntiejessi]

Hi there -

Some people will remain positive at a 1 or 2 for life, on any test.  However, if you are having syphilis symptoms on your neck and back, you wouldn't be testing at a 1 or 2.  I seriously doubt these are syphilis symptoms.

Has a doc ever cultured these spots?  You might be getting syphilis treatment needlessly.

You might have your daughter tested again.  If she is negative now, she will continue to be.

There is no reason to be embarassed about this.  All you have to say is "I had it years ago, and its been treated."  

You might want to see a dermatologist for your symptoms.  I have a hard time believing its syphilis, given your test results and the location, which isn't common for syphilis symptoms.

Aj