Dear Counsellor:

I am a married woman and I have never had sex with anyone else since I have been married for the last eight years. Recently, I got pregnant and my doctor ordered several tests, which included one for syphilis. The result for syphilis came back positive. How could this be possible? I know I had syphilis long before I was married and I was treated.

How could this be?

Concerned Wife

Dear Concerned Wife:

Since the antibodies for syphilis continue to be formed for varying periods after a person is treated, a positive test does not always mean that a person has a new infection.

The blood test may discover an old infection that has been cured. Your doctor should be able to do a special test, which can tell a new infection from an old one.

It is important for you to know that a person cured for syphilis may have a positive test for many years, even for the rest of his/her life.

This does not necessarily mean that more treatment is needed. The sooner a person is treated after being infected with syphilis, the less likely this is to happen. If you and your husband have been faithful to each other then it is quite likely that your positive test does not indicate a new infection.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at

1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affairs, c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.