[Question #8283] Help with Test
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46 months ago
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I’m a male and recently got worried about an encounter I had 9 weeks ago where I got a small tattoo and the tattoo artist made me think he used an unsterile needle on me.
Fast forward a month after my encounter, I started getting testicular pain and was prescribed levofloxacin for epididymitis. They had me tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea which came back negative. I’ve had severe anxiety about my encounter and somehow it had caused me to be infected with something. I and had a full std panel at 6 weeks with HIV RNA, HIV 4th Gen, Syphilis RPR, Hep A,B,C, trich which all came back negative. As you’ve seen in this forum, my anxiety spilled over and I got a small red area on my gum by my tooth at week 8.5 and have been thinking that Syphilis could be a cause. I went at week 9 after my encounter and got a Syphilis EIA test and a HIV 4th gen test to be sure and they both came back negative.
My question is since I took Levofloxacin before my syphilis tests, could that have interfered with my two syphilis tests and maybe masked symptoms? Are my syphilis RPR test at 6 weeks and EIA test at 9 weeks conclusive despite my red gum? I have heard that syphilis can be transmitted through blood/unsterile tattoo so I’m just worried. I have a one year old at home and I’m terrified of maybe transmitting syphilis through saliva on a cup or her hand. Should I wait 90 days for another test as the CDC states or just move on and forget my anxiety? Thank you in advance.
P.S. I will be getting Hep tests down the road again to make sure but main concern right now is syphilis.
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46 months ago
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I see that there hasn’t been a blood-bourne transmission of syphilis in a very recent reply by Dr. Handsfield but either way, could you still confirm that my tests at 6 and 9 weeks are conclusive of syphilis and my child is safe?
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46 months ago
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Meaning that with the offset chance I could have contracted Syphilis, my test results are conclusive. A primary chancre would not appear 8.5 weeks after, correct?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
46 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your question. Thanks as well for looking at earlier posts. We make them available so that clients can do just what you've done- read them for information.
The short answer is that you are in the clear. As you have already learned, bloodborne transmission of syphilis is no longer a realistic concern. In addition, 8+ weeks is too far out for a primary lesion to appear, the lesion you describe sounds nothing like syphilis, levofloxacin has no activity against syphilis, and your blood tests are conclusive. I suspect that, like many of us, when we are anxious we scrutinize ourselves more closely than we would otherwise and notice minor blemishes and abnormalities which would otherwise be overlooked. I suspect that this is the case here.
No need for further testing. Please don't worry. EWH
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46 months ago
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Great, thank you. And just a follow up, even if I had syphilis outside of my encounter from some rare occurrence, I can’t transmit it to my child by saliva. I don’t kiss on the lips or anything but maybe sharing a glass?
A 9 week EIA syphilis negative test is rock solid ?
My anxiety will settle, I swear, I just care for my child too much.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
46 months ago
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First in for most importantly the syphilis tests that you have had indicate that you did not acquire Syphilis 8 1/2 weeks ago and have never had it (In particular the EIA test proves this). Transmission to your child is not a concern. Even if you did have Syphilis however transmission in saliva is not a concern, nor would transmission through kissing. I really think you are ordering far too much
Your follow up question about the EIA Syphilis test is repetitive. My answer will not change. Your results are conclusive. Believe them. EWH
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46 months ago
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Hello Doctor, I saw in another post 2 months ago that Doctor Hansfield mentioned that window for a Syphilis EIA test is 6-10 weeks. I’m just nervous my rpr test at 6 weeks and EIA test at 9 weeks are not conclusive. I’m terrified of syphilis. I have not had any symptoms in my groin area that I can tell but a few minor spots on my gums. I am now on Doxociline for my orchitis (100 mg once per day for 10 days). I know you said I’m repeating myself but are my tests conclusive given the window? Have you ever seen a positive result after a negative EIA at 9 weeks?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
46 months ago
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Final responses. Your risk was virtually zero. Your results are conclusive. You could not transmit Syphilis with a negative blood test. Your negative tests At 6 and 9 weeks prove you were not infected.
End of thread. EWH
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