Syphilis

Will the antibody test stay positive forever?

Treated last year. Told one of my tests will be positive for life. What do I say when a future doctor sees it and reacts?

ninth_street 2 months ago

NoteMember experience, not medical advice. Symptoms overlap between infections and only a test can tell them apart.

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second_tuesday 2 months ago

Yes, the treponemal test usually stays positive for life regardless of successful treatment. It records that you have been infected, not that you are infected.

The test that tracks activity and response to treatment is the other one, the non treponemal titre. That is the number that falls after treatment.

low_ceiling 2 months ago

Ask your clinic for a written summary: date of diagnosis, stage, treatment given, and the titre results over time. That one page answers every future doctor in ten seconds.

blue_hour 2 months ago

It also matters for blood donation, travel medicals and some immigration processes in various countries. Having the documentation ready turns a potential problem into paperwork.

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