NON-TREPONEMAL SYPHILIS RPR (MONITOR) WITH REFLEX TITER

Is any other name available for this test?

RPR test, Syphilis test

What is a rapid plasma reagin test?

A rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test helps to screen syphilis, which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The RPR test is a blood test that determines antibodies in response to syphilis. This test determine antibodies that are not specific to the Treponema pallidum bacteria. Antibodies are proteins produced by your immune system. These antibodies develop when your body senses any outside harmful substance entering your body, like syphilis. Antibodies help to fight against bacteria, infection, and other diseases.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It transfers to your body when you come in contact with an individual having sores during unprotected sex. The syphilis bacterium is known as treponema pallidum. Syphilis also enters your body by:
 

• Mucous membranes (The watery and inner lining of some organs and cavities of your body, including nose, lungs, stomach, and mouth)
• Cuts on the skin
• Abrasions - An open wound develops due to skin rubbing against a rough surface.

What is the purpose of this test?

The RPR test helps your doctor identify the diagnosis of infection and conduct your treatment. If syphilis is left untreated in your blood, it can lead to severe health problems. The syphilis test decreases the chances of complications. It does not detect the bacteria that occur due to syphilis. This test determines the number of antibodies against harmful substances develops by bacteria. The syphilis test may also stop the spreading of the disease from an infected person.

When to conduct this test?

Your provider may recommend the RPR test if you experience symptoms of syphilis after the involvement of sex with a person having syphilis. Symptoms of syphilis include
 

• Fever
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Build up small and painless sores (chancres) at the position where syphilis develops in your body.
• Rashes on the skin. It also occurs on the palms of your hands or the bottom of your feet.
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Increasing size in the lymph glands (A gland that filters the substances that flow through lymphatic fluid and possess lymphocytes).

The final stages of syphilis have severe symptoms. These include loss of feeling, blindness, paralysis (A condition in which difficulty or losing ability in the movements of body parts), loss of memory, and death.
If you may have a chance for syphilis in your blood, it is better to avoid sex with any person till you perform the RPR test and other additional tests. You can know whether syphilis is in your blood by giving an online order for this test.

What is the method for this test?

Your healthcare provider will need a blood sample for the RPR test. A needle injects into a vein in your arm to collect a blood sample in a specimen or test tube. Your provider covers your vein with a bandage and stores your blood sample for detailed examination. After the test, people return to their homes for regular activities. The syphilis test needs at least 5 minutes.

How do I need to prepare for this test?

Your healthcare provider will provide you with specific instructions for this test. You may ask to keep fast for at least 7-8 hours before the test. You can inform your provider about medicines, supplements, and vitamins you usually take.

What do the RPR test results indicate?

Negative results - The negative test results may show that syphilis does not occur in your blood. It also means that you successfully treated or recovered from syphilis if you have had experience with it. The RPR test may provide inaccurate or false-negative results that depend on the stage of syphilis.

Positive results - The positive test results generally indicate that syphilis is available in your blood. Your provider may order additional tests to confirm a positive diagnosis.
You can eliminate the risk of going into the late stage of syphilis by discussing your test results online with a doctor.

What are the risks in the test?

A rapid plasma reagin is a blood test that does not have a high risk. Some people may experience these conditions, which are as under:
 

• Low bleeding at the puncture or injection site of your vein.
• Bruising
• Soreness
• Infection
• Dizziness or lightheaded feeling
• Deposition of blood under the skin (hematoma)

After a short time, these symptoms disappear from your body.

What are the factors that may affect the test results?

The test results may indicate inaccurate or false-positive due to various reasons. Your body’s immune system takes at least 2-3 weeks to respond to the infection.

Abnormal false-negative results may occur due to the following conditions:
 

• Early or late stages of syphilis
• If the test performs 14 days earlier after the infection.
• If the test performs 21 days later after the syphilis infection.
• Intake of alcohol within 24 hours of the RPR Test.

Abnormal false-positive results may result due to the following conditions:
 

• Chronic liver disease
• Past vaccinations
• Pregnancy
• Tuberculosis (A bacterial infection that spreads through the inhaling of cough or sneezes of an infected person)
• Inflammation or burning of the heart valves or lining
• Use of IV (Intravenous) drugs
• Rickettsial infections (multiple groups of bacteria)

What additional tests may I need to conduct along with the RPR test?

Your healthcare provider may need other tests to diagnose syphilis in your blood. Your provider may recommend these blood tests, including
 

• Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) - This test often combines with an RPR or VLDL test.

• Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA) - This test determines antibodies and combines with a screening test.

• Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) - This test helps to determine antibodies after 1 to 3 weeks of infection.

• Microhemagglutination assay (MHA-TP) - It often conducts when another syphilis test shows positive results.

• Dark Field microscopy - This test uses a microscope to observe syphilis germs in your sample of fluid or tissue. Your provider uses this test in the early stages.

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