Can Titer Increase During Treatment? Posted: 06-22-06 02:30am
Hi doctor,
i was exposed about 60 days ago. I tested
at week 5 and my vdrl was 1:16, tpha
positive and my hiv test came out
negative. I then started my medication
for syphilis. I was given a penicillin
injection and then doxycycline tablets(2
per day) for 2 weeks. At the end of the
2nd week I was given another penicillin
injection and more doxycycline tablets for
another 2 weeks. At the end of the 4th
week I went on to do a blood test on my
own at a private medical lab. This is my
9th week since the exposure. My test
results came out negative for hiv and vdrl
was 1:32. I was shocked with this
results!! I checked with my doctor and he
said that I should wait atleast 3 month to
see the difference in the titer. My
questions:
1. Can the vdrl titer increase at the end
of the treatment? Or is the increase
something I should worry about?
2. I read in some wesites that hiv
infection can cause syphilis treatment
failure. Could this be possible in my
case?
I would really appreciate if you could
respond to my queries soon! I am
extremely worried.
Thank you!
