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March 2022 Moms
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False positive syphilis test and now the Dept of Health is bothering me

thebirdgirl86thebirdgirl86 member
in March 2022 Moms
Wondering if anyone has been through something similar...

My OB ran 2 syphilis tests, one of which was negative, one was "weakly positive". He explained it was a false positive, and that test is notorious for having false positives in pregnant women, even more so because I have an autoimmune disease.

But I guess it got flagged to the Health Department, because now they keep calling me saying I need to come in for their "special" test only they can do. I spoke with my OB a couple weeks ago about it, who said I don't need to do the test since I had a negative one. But Health Dept keeps calling me saying it's a false negative, that I'm going to have problems when I deliver if I don't come do the test, I'll need to get tested throughout my pregnancy, they even said "your OB tries very hard but they just don't have the resources we do". Huh??

Anyone been through this? I'm freaking out that Health Dept people are going to start showing up at my house, or they'll even try to take my baby away.
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Re: False positive syphilis test and now the Dept of Health is bothering me

  • rachelredheadrachelredhead member
    @thebirdgirl86 that is just nuts! I feel like first I’d try to have my OB call the department to get them off your back. If that doesn’t work, I’d just do the health dept test since you know it’s a false positive. How weird! I hope it resolves soon! 
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  • PanaceiaPanaceia member
    @thebirdgirl86 I agree with above! See if your OB will give them a call or else just do the test. Super annoying but at least it will be over and done with!!!!
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  • Nik102Nik102 member
    @thebirdgirl86 I have seen a patient with false positive on their RPR for syphilis, I believe she went on for further testing (I think it was called FTA-ABS which tests for antibodies to a particular bacteria). The positive result was due to an autoimmune condition as well.  If I remember correctly the health department was notified initially but I think they referred back to the OB for any further testing and diagnosis. Hang in there I’m sure that was terrifying to hear no matter how false it is.  
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