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Does Amoxicillin Intake Have Any Effect On The Syphilis Test?
Question: Received unprotecred oral from an unknown woman. Hiv test negative at 13 weeks and negative 4 generation test at 29 days. I am ok there. I have a question about syphilis. I had a negative blood test done at 6 weeks and one day. However I was taking amoxicillin for a sinus infection 2-3 weeks before the syphilis test. Would the amoxicillin taken 2-3 weeks before my syphilis test affect the accuracy of the test?
Brief Answer:
Go for a more specific test for syphilis
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr. kakkar (dermatologist and venereologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
Most of the patients have a reactive VDRL within 4 weeks after infection. So I think if you were infected with syphilis, most likely you would have been positive.
However, an oral penicillin may possibly have some effect on the time of positivity of VDRL and its titre therefore in such a scenario it is better to take a more specfic test for syphilis e.g TPHA test. I suggest the same for you.
Regards
Go for a more specific test for syphilis
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr. kakkar (dermatologist and venereologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
Most of the patients have a reactive VDRL within 4 weeks after infection. So I think if you were infected with syphilis, most likely you would have been positive.
However, an oral penicillin may possibly have some effect on the time of positivity of VDRL and its titre therefore in such a scenario it is better to take a more specfic test for syphilis e.g TPHA test. I suggest the same for you.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would the amoxicillin still affect the test if I completed the dose 2-3 weeks before I took the syphils blood test?
Brief Answer:
I would suggest a TPHA test to rule out any doubts
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Since you had a test approximately 3-4 weeks after contact. And as I said that most of the people who are infected have a reactive VDRL at 4 weeks but some individuals may have late reactivity (may become VDRL positive after 10-12 weeks) and in those an oral antibiotic may influence the VDRL positivity and titre. I would therefore suggest a specific test for syphilis i.e TPHA to rule out any doubts. If TPHA comes negative that confirms that you are not infected.
Regards
I would suggest a TPHA test to rule out any doubts
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Since you had a test approximately 3-4 weeks after contact. And as I said that most of the people who are infected have a reactive VDRL at 4 weeks but some individuals may have late reactivity (may become VDRL positive after 10-12 weeks) and in those an oral antibiotic may influence the VDRL positivity and titre. I would therefore suggest a specific test for syphilis i.e TPHA to rule out any doubts. If TPHA comes negative that confirms that you are not infected.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok. Thanks. I did have a specific test for syphils at 6 weeks and one day that was negative. I was just afraid that the amoxicillin I took 2-3 weeks prior may influence the results. Can amoxicillin influence a test 2-3 weeks later?
Also I am on cold medicine now. Will sudafed or zicam affect a test? Thanks
Also I am on cold medicine now. Will sudafed or zicam affect a test? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Specific test for syphilis is more reliable
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A negative specific test for syphilis is a more reliable test. This is because a specific test for syphilis becomes positive early in the course of infection and stays positive throughout life irrespective of treatment whereas a non specific test like VDRL is more likely to get influenced by prior treatment than a specific test like TPHA.
Medicine for cold wont afffect your test result.
Regards
Specific test for syphilis is more reliable
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A negative specific test for syphilis is a more reliable test. This is because a specific test for syphilis becomes positive early in the course of infection and stays positive throughout life irrespective of treatment whereas a non specific test like VDRL is more likely to get influenced by prior treatment than a specific test like TPHA.
Medicine for cold wont afffect your test result.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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