[Question #10921] Worried about possible exposure

18 months ago

Hello Doctor Handsfield,

I had one more question regarding my post from yesterday.

So the testresults from the sexworker 9 days after our contact were the following: VDRL/RPR negative and CLIA total antibodies was positive You said this could be a false positive or an indication of a past infection.

But I have read somewhere that a positive Antibody test (clia) could also indicate a new infection with possibly a chancre present. Is this possible in my case since the vdrl/rpr was negative?

So my question is: Was there no syphilis chancre present 9 days prior to the above test result when I had sexual intercourse with this person?

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

18 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry that you felt the need. On this occasion your follow-up came to me. I reviewed your interaction with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said, most importantly that the exposure you described was zero risk. Her negative VDRL test 9 days following your exposure PROVES that you could not have been exposed to syphilis. Accept this and move on- work to address your OCD, stop searching the internet more information that is only going to mislead you. EWH---

18 months ago

Hello doctor,

So even with this positive CLIA test, the negative vdrl/ rpr test proves there was no active syphilis sore 9 days earlier?

If I know this answer, I think my mind can calm down and hopefully I can let it go and move on with my life..

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

18 months ago

This is a repetitive question. An active Syphilis had been present nine days earlier, the VDRL test would’ve been positive. You need to stop asking the same questions again and again and address your OCD.

You have one further question remaining. Following that question, the thread will be closed and any further questions may be deleted without a response. I say this out of concern for you. Nothing more. EWH.

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18 months ago

Okay sorry for my repetitive questions. I try to avoid reading online but its very difficult with my mental condition.

I have one last question:

I have read that total antibody test like CLIA becomes positive before a vdrl or rpr test.

So in this case, is it possible that the CLIA test JUST became positive and the vdrl/rpr test would have become positive a few days later if she had tested a few days later again in which case there maybe was a chancre present at the time I had intercourse with her?

Or is this not relevant in this situation?

Thanks for answering this last question

Edward W. Hook M.D.

18 months ago

Treponemal antibody tests such as the CLIA test become positive a day or two before the VDRL. By the time 4-5 days had passed the VDRL would be positive. ASs you have been told repeatedly- there was NO RISK. You need to move on. End of thread. EWH---