Even though 12 weeks has often been cited, I have never seen or heard of a patient in whom it took more than 6 weeks for a conclusive test result. A complicating factor is that the answer may not be the same for different tests. In general, the newer syphilis screening tests -- those that detect specific antibody (the IgG and IgM T. pallidum specific tests, usually using EIA or similar technologies) may convert more rapidly than the older, traditional "nontreponemal" tests like VDRL and RPR. In any case, two other factors make syphilis almost impossible, assuming you indeed remain concerned about your exposures with a single female partner last August (described in your previous questions #13301. First, my understanding is that heterosexually acquired syphilis is exceedingly rare in Denmark; your partner was very unlikely to have it; and you had condom protected sex.

If you have had a negative test of any kind more than 6 weeks after the August events, you can safely conclude you do not have syphilis. However, if you would worry less and sleep better with another negative result, feel free to have another test, since you are beyond 90 days since the exposures.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD