Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination Assay (TPHA)

Your doctor might order a TPHA test if you have symptoms of syphilis, have been exposed to a sexual partner with syphilis, or as a part of prenatal screening.

The TPHA test is performed using a blood sample, which is drawn from a vein in your arm.

The risks associated with the TPHA test are minimal and similar to those of any standard blood draw, including slight pain or bruising at the puncture site.

No, you do not need to fast before a TPHA test.

Typically, results from a TPHA test are available within 1-2 days.

A positive TPHA test means that antibodies to the bacterium that causes syphilis are present in your blood. However, it doesn't differentiate between a current or past infection. A negative TPHA test suggests that you don't have syphilis, unless you've been recently infected and your body hasn't produced antibodies yet.

Some medications might interfere with the TPHA test results. It's crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking.

Syphilis is usually treated with antibiotics, typically penicillin. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent serious health complications.

Yes, the TPHA test is safe to take during pregnancy. In fact, routine screening for syphilis during pregnancy is recommended to prevent transmission to the unborn baby.

Anyone with symptoms of syphilis, those who have been exposed to a sexual partner with syphilis, or as part of routine prenatal screening should get a TPHA test.

Certain conditions, such as lupus, may cause a false-positive result on a TPHA test. Discuss any health conditions with your healthcare provider before the test.

Yes, syphilis is curable with appropriate antibiotics, typically penicillin. However, any damage caused by the infection cannot be reversed, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Untreated syphilis can progress to more serious stages, causing severe health complications including damage to the heart, brain, and other organs.

Syphilis can be prevented by practicing safe sex. Using condoms correctly and consistently, and having regular screenings if you're sexually active, can help reduce the risk of contracting syphilis.

The TPHA test is highly sensitive and specific, making it a reliable test for diagnosing syphilis. However, no test is 100% accurate, and results should always be interpreted in conjunction with symptoms and clinical findings.

Yes, following treatment, a decrease in TPHA levels can indicate successful treatment. However, in some people, the TPHA test may remain positive for life, despite successful treatment.

Other tests that may be ordered with a TPHA test include the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test and the Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption (FTA-ABS) test.

In rare cases, certain conditions, such as lupus, can cause a false-positive result on a TPHA test. If your TPHA test is positive, your healthcare provider will likely order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

While the TPHA test is highly specific and sensitive, it does not distinguish between current and past infection, and it may produce a false-negative result if performed too soon after exposure before antibodies have developed.