[Question #9227] Follow up to an RPR question

Avatar photo
35 months ago

In my past question I asked if my two negative RPR tests one in 2013 the other 2014 were definitive proof I did not have Syphilis.  I asked about how my exposures were 6-12 years before these tests and had read that sometimes quiescent syphilis could be missed in late stages and Dr HH said this process takes decades for the RPR to turn negative and my time frame was not enough time for this to happen and I didn't need any further testing and didn't need the TPPA test.  I just saw in an article that Dr HH said that most labs now start syphilis test with the IgG Elisa, should I get that test or is my RPR (2) negatives (6-12 years from exposure - if it was one - no symptoms either)....or should I get this IgG test?  Also what really triggered me is I saw on webMD and a bunch of other lab / hospital / clinic sites that drinking alcohol 24 hours before an RPR test can give a false negative, I am assuming this is them doing this out of caution for a very rare event that this could happen - but I want to check if I should get retested as I am not sure if I drank alcohol before the past tests.  I know my OCD is a huge pain to deal with and this is somewhat repetitive, but my wife and I are about to try and have a baby and I want to know if my past tests are definitive or if I should get another test to make sure my wife and future child are safe.  I know I am somewhat breaking the rules – but the alcohol warning scared me and when I say Dr HH say the new way labs test (post from healthtap 2018), I got scared that maybe my two RPRs might be false negatives because of prozone, or lower sensitivity in latent stages and my OCD got going……so I hope you will make an exception and answer my question because I don’t want to have to worry my wife for no reason, but I also want to protect her if for some reason the alcohol before the tests or something else caused a false negative twice - no matter how unlikely this is........if you don't want to answer the question because its repeti

Avatar photo
35 months ago
repetitive I understand and consider it a gift to your efforts here

Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
35 months ago
You’ve been advised to stay off the Internet. Your current question reinforces the validity of that advice. Drinking alcohol prior to having an RPR test in no way affects the results of the test. Further, you do not need additional testing. Dr. Handsfield‘s advice on the RPR test remains valid and appropriate. There is no need for an IgG test. What is needed is for you to stay off the Internet, to address your OCD, and to seek counseling for your persisting guilt. 

Further questions of any sort about past experiences will be closed without a response. This thread is being closed now. EWH
---