What does a reactive RPR test 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.
What happens if you test positive for syphilis while pregnant?
Syphilis in pregnant women can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or the baby’s death shortly after birth. Approximately 40% of babies born to women with untreated syphilis can be stillborn or die from the infection as a newborn.
Is syphilis tested during pregnancy?
All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis as early as possible when they first present to care. If a woman has not received prenatal care prior to delivery, she should be tested at the time she presents for delivery. Screening for syphilis infection is a 2-step process.
Why did I test false-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).
Can I have a baby if I have syphilis?
Syphilis can also be passed on to an unborn baby during pregnancy. Congenital syphilis is the disease that occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy. Babies born to women with untreated syphilis may be stillborn (a baby born dead) or die from the infection as a newborn.
Can you have a baby after being treated for syphilis?
Syphilis Treatment Is Highly Effective If you are pregnant while you have syphilis, and you take penicillin and go on to give birth after 20 weeks, your baby will usually be fine.
What is RPR test in pregnancy 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.
Why do I keep testing positive for syphilis?
The most common reason for a false-positive is that a person produces antibodies that “fool” the syphilis test. This may occur because the antibodies are similar to the syphilis antibody or because they interfere with chemical reactions needed to perform the test for syphilis.