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5 Years Ago, I Had Ynprotected Oral Sex With Sex
Question: 5 years ago, I had ynprotected oral sex with sex worker, I got teated for syphilis VDRL in September this year. and also in april earlier but i don't know what test they used (presumably vdrl). All the results are negative, but does this mean that i do not have syphilis? because I do not have any symptom of syphilis, I really don't know.
also, does VDRL syphilis test at 4-7 weeks be reliable? this case is touching dried blood at std clinic. after touching it, I used my other hands to scrath my ear, which I found out there was a dried wound with scab of dried blood. After 7 weeks, I got tested and the results are negative (syphilis, hiv, hbv, hcv). Moreover I got PCR test for hiv at 2 weeks and result is also negative.
by the way, I have swollen lymph node underchin for a while, before getting test. it is not big but palpable. is this related to any std disease?
I read on the internet about syphilis and got confused. please clarify me whether my negative results can be trusted as I heard that sensitivity of vdrl is not as efficient as other test, and that syphilis has various stage and each stage affects test result. thank you very much
also, does VDRL syphilis test at 4-7 weeks be reliable? this case is touching dried blood at std clinic. after touching it, I used my other hands to scrath my ear, which I found out there was a dried wound with scab of dried blood. After 7 weeks, I got tested and the results are negative (syphilis, hiv, hbv, hcv). Moreover I got PCR test for hiv at 2 weeks and result is also negative.
by the way, I have swollen lymph node underchin for a while, before getting test. it is not big but palpable. is this related to any std disease?
I read on the internet about syphilis and got confused. please clarify me whether my negative results can be trusted as I heard that sensitivity of vdrl is not as efficient as other test, and that syphilis has various stage and each stage affects test result. thank you very much
Brief Answer:
Regarding STDs
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
First of all, a negative result after 5 years of risk exposure rules out HIV and syphilis. Though, vdrl is not a specific test and a more specific test like TPHA is more reliable. This is because rarely Vdrl can itself turn negative after years even without treatment. Exposure to dried blood is not a risk for transmission of STDs like Syphilis or HIV. Your swollen lymph nodes could be due to trivial causes like sore throat or a local skin infection. I suggest you to take a course of an oral antibiotic for a week and then see if they are still there. Hopefully they would be gone.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if you need any more assistance
Regarding STDs
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
First of all, a negative result after 5 years of risk exposure rules out HIV and syphilis. Though, vdrl is not a specific test and a more specific test like TPHA is more reliable. This is because rarely Vdrl can itself turn negative after years even without treatment. Exposure to dried blood is not a risk for transmission of STDs like Syphilis or HIV. Your swollen lymph nodes could be due to trivial causes like sore throat or a local skin infection. I suggest you to take a course of an oral antibiotic for a week and then see if they are still there. Hopefully they would be gone.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if you need any more assistance
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you doctor
So what would you say about my negative VDRL result for syphilis? Should I get another test? Can I trust previous two results?
So what would you say about my negative VDRL result for syphilis? Should I get another test? Can I trust previous two results?
Brief Answer:
Regarding STDs
Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
Most likely it is still an indicator of your status but I would anyways suggest a more specific test for Syphilis i.e TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination Assay) as it would be more reliable. VDRL is more a test of monitoring response to treatment of Syphilis. Not for diagnosis of syphilis.
Take care
Regarding STDs
Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
Most likely it is still an indicator of your status but I would anyways suggest a more specific test for Syphilis i.e TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination Assay) as it would be more reliable. VDRL is more a test of monitoring response to treatment of Syphilis. Not for diagnosis of syphilis.
Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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