What does reactive RPR mean?

A reactive RPR test result is considered abnormal because antibodies were detected. This could either indicate a current syphilis infection, or the presence of a past infection that has been successfully treated.

Does a reactive RPR mean I have syphilis?

A reactive RPR must also have a reactive treponemal test to be considered a case of syphilis as false positives are possible. Changes in titer are followed after treatment to detect a therapeutic response and to assess for new infection. With adequate treatment, most individuals will return to a non-reactive RPR.

Is RPR an STD?

A rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test is one of the various tests that screen for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) called syphilis. It is a simple blood test that checks for unique syphilis antibodies.

What does it mean if your RPR is non reactive?

A negative or nonreactive result means you don't likely have syphilis. Positive results are given as a ratio in titers. This tells your healthcare provider the amount of antibodies in your blood.

How long does RPR stay reactive?

The majority of patients who have reactive treponemal tests will have reactive tests for the remainder of their lives, regardless of adequate treatment or disease activity. However, 15%–25% of patients treated during the primary stage revert to being serologically nonreactive after 2–3 years (570).

RPR test reactive

What else can cause a reactive RPR?

Historically, false-reactive RPR test results have been observed in people with systemic infections unrelated to syphilis, such as tuberculosis, rickettsial diseases, and endocarditis. False-reactive RPR testing also has been previously observed following immunization (specifically following smallpox vaccine).

What can cause a reactive RPR test?

Does RPR stay positive for life?

3. Most people become negative for RPR with adequate treatment, though some patients who present with later stage disease may maintain a low titer RPR (<1:8) for life despite adequate treatment.

How long can you have syphilis without knowing?

Latent Stage

Late latent syphilis is latent syphilis where infection occurs more than 12 months ago. Latent syphilis of unknown duration is when there is not enough evidence to confirm initial infection was within the previous 12 months. Latent syphilis can last for years.

Why did I test positive for syphilis?

False-positive result may be seen in certain acute or chronic infections (e.g., tuberculosis, hepatitis, malaria, early HIV infection), autoimmune diseases (e.g., systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), injection drug use, pregnancy, and following vaccination (e.g., smallpox, MMR).

Is RPR syphilis contagious?

Syphilis is contagious, especially in the primary and secondary stages when you have sores, ulcers or a rash. Syphilis typically spreads from person to person during sexual contact, even if there's no penetration or ejaculation.

What if I test positive for syphilis?

If your screening test results are positive, it means you have antibodies that may be from a syphilis infection. You'll need another test to confirm whether or not you have syphilis. If your follow-up test confirms you have syphilis, you will probably be treated with penicillin, a type of antibiotic.

Do you treat a positive RPR?

Early-latent syphilis is treated with a single intramuscular dose of benzathine penicillin G, while late-latent syphilis requires 3 weekly doses of benzathine penicillin G. Following successful treatment, the RPR declines over time and may become nonreactive.

How accurate is RPR test for syphilis?

False negatives tend to be more common in the initial and end stages of infection. Among people who are in the secondary (middle) stage of infection, the RPR test result is nearly always positive. The RPR test also can produce false-positive results, suggesting you have syphilis when you actually don't.

What is the difference between RPR and syphilis?

The RPR test is only an initial screening for syphilis. Because there are some problems with its interpretation, further testing is often needed to confirm a syphilis diagnosis. If a person tests positive, they may require an additional test to confirm the presence of syphilis.

What is one of the first signs of syphilis?

The first sign of syphilis is a small sore, called a chancre (SHANG-kur). The sore appears at the spot where the bacteria entered your body. While most people infected with syphilis develop only one chancre, some people develop several of them. The chancre usually develops about three weeks after exposure.

What are the signs of syphilis in a woman?

Painless, open sore(s) on the mouth, genitals, or anus. The sore(s) occurs at the location where syphilis entered the body. The sore(s) can be painless, making them difficult to find in the vagina or rectum. They usually last 3 to 6 weeks with or without treatment.

Will you always have syphilis forever?

Is there a cure for syphilis? Yes, syphilis is curable with the right antibiotics from your healthcare provider. However, treatment might not undo any damage the infection can cause.

What is considered a positive RPR?

A positive titer with a VDRL or RPR indicates active syphilis and follow-up serologic testing is performed to monitor treatment response. With this new testing algorithm that uses the treponemal test first, some patients may test positive for a treponemal test but test negative with a nontreponemal test.

How often is RPR false positive?

One of the study[4] from western region of our country showed 56.4% false positivity of RPR in blood donors as compared with 60% in our study further indicating impact of RPR on the discard rate of the blood bank.

Does alcohol affect syphilis test?

Your results may be false-negative if the test is done too soon after you are infected with syphilis. It takes 14 to 21 days after infection with the spirochetes for your body's immune response to be found by the test. Drinking alcohol within 24 hours of the test also can give a false-negative result.

What medication is given for positive RPR?

The preferred treatment at all stages is penicillin, an antibiotic medication that can kill the organism that causes syphilis. If you're allergic to penicillin, your doctor may suggest another antibiotic or recommend penicillin desensitization.

Can syphilis RPR be false positive?

Another test (called the FTA) can rule out or confirm syphilis if the first screening test (called the RPR) is positive. The most common reason for a false-positive is that a person produces antibodies that "fool" the syphilis test.

Can I live a normal life with syphilis?

You can live a normal life, but it's important to take precautions to protect others. First, get treatment and wait until a healthcare provider tells you you are cured before you have sexual activity. If syphilis progresses to the last stage, it can affect many vital organs and be life-threatening.

Is syphilis in your blood forever?

Shortly after infection occurs, the body produces syphilis antibodies that can be detected by a blood test. Even after full treatment, antibodies to syphilis remain in the blood and may be detectable for many years after the infection has gone.