Fiance tested positive for syphilis

[Rich and John 0]

My Fiance has his interview in April, about 10 weeks away. He was going to have his medical at St. Lukes in Manila the first week of February. He just did a few of the tests at a local clinic for some reassurance and tested positive for Syphilis. My questions are:

1. The disease is easily curable and treatment is simple antibiotics, but the antibodies which they test for last forever. If he proves treatment has been given, will he be OK?

2. Should he still have his physical in less than a couple weeks so we have more time to deal with issues that come up before the interview, or should he put the physical off for a few weeks and give a longer time after the treatment?

As most of you can attest, this has been a long emotional and draining journey. We just need some real answers that will help us be together as soon as possible. Thank you all so much.

[SennaBrigante 92]

He has to bring proof that he has undergone treatment for syphilis and the panel has to be satisfied with the treatment efforts

[Tahoma 2,298]

Having an early medical can be a good strategy because it could buy you some time to deal with a potential two-month TB culture delay. However, keep in mind that the visa is valid for about six months from the date of the medical, so having an early medical might not work for those who plan to travel, say, five-plus months after they receive their visa.

On the other hand, it's generally a good idea to go into the medical as healthy as you can. I can't remember if St. Lukes checks for syphilis but, even if they don't, I would wait until treatment was completed. Completing the treatment before the medical would only set you back a week or two, and that's only if you had to wait for a TB sputum culture. If there is no culture, the week or two wait won't set you back at all.

[Tahoma 2,298]

He has to bring proof that he has undergone treatment for syphilis and the panel has to be satisfied with the treatment efforts

^^^. Thanks for your post...that's good to know. Do you think he should wait until he completes treatment?

[Rich and John 0]

He has to bring proof that he has undergone treatment for syphilis and the panel has to be satisfied with the treatment efforts

Thank you for this response it is very helpful... as you can imagine, I am pretty stressed out.

[Rich and John 0]

Having an early medical can be a good strategy because it could buy you some time to deal with a potential two-month TB culture delay. However, keep in mind that the visa is valid for about six months from the date of the medical, so having an early medical might not work for those who plan to travel, say, five-plus months after they receive their visa.

On the other hand, it's generally a good idea to go into the medical as healthy as you can. I can't remember if St. Lukes checks for syphilis but, even if they don't, I would wait until treatment was completed. Completing the treatment before the medical would only set you back a week or two, and that's only if you had to wait for a TB sputum culture. If there is no culture, the week or two wait won't set you back at all.

Wow... that's good advice. I thought the visa was valid for 6 months after it was issued. He would travel pretty much right away however. St. Lukes does test for syphilis. I think the treatment is fairly quick (a couple weeks of antibiotics). I think maybe the best strategy is to put it off 2 or 3 weeks.. He will have more time be through his treatment and still be 6 or 7 weeks prior to his interview. What do you think?

[SennaBrigante 92]

How long do antibodies stay in the body and when is your interview? If you can wait it out until your partner is 100% clear before you take the medical then I would assume that that's the best route. If not, you'll have to bring a medical certificate detailing the treatment, final diagnosis, duration of treatment, etc.

You might want to consult with a St Luke's affiliated physician to increase your partner's chances when the panel reviews his docs.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

One inappropriate response has been removed. If you cannot contribute something constructive to the discussion, then do not post at all.

[sharky-rex 76]

I don't have anything constructive to add, but I wanted to wish you good luck with the medical. Hope you're reunited soon.

[Tahoma 2,298]

Wow... that's good advice. I thought the visa was valid for 6 months after it was issued. He would travel pretty much right away however. St. Lukes does test for syphilis. I think the treatment is fairly quick (a couple weeks of antibiotics). I think maybe the best strategy is to put it off 2 or 3 weeks.. He will have more time be through his treatment and still be 6 or 7 weeks prior to his interview. What do you think?

I think that's a good idea.

And try not to stress out about it too much. You have plenty of time before the interview even if St. Lukes wants to continue the treatment for another week or two.

[raven52 234]

There is something, I am missing, what does the syphiilis condition, have to do with, (my opinion) Spututum Fiasco at St. Luke's?

Could it be the anitbotice would "cloud" his lungs, or some other reason,..,.,cannot bring these two things together.,.., is just a questionn to be better informed.,.,..

And if you ever have to go through that Fiasco, it is 3 months, delay, my wife experienced it, and her lungs were perfectly clear!

[SennaBrigante 92]

I don't think it's related at all and I'm not sure of its relevance to OP's problem

[GF1804 12]

Your partner once he has tested positive for Syphilis will always test positive (even after he has been successfully treated with meds) the virus can always be detected in your body with a simple blood test in your unfortunately he will always test positive.

My advice would be to get the medical care he needs and then allow the syphilis counts in his blood work system to reduced. So when they test him yes he will test positive for Syphilis but he will then have a successful record of treatment and a subsequent blood test which shows he has responded to the meds and his syphilis is reduced and successfully treated - which means it is no longer communicable for immigration purposes.

Not sure what the time line is for successful treatment but his healthcare provider should be able to advise him.(may be a few months between the blood tests).

Also do not forget to be honest on the medical questionnaire when asked about STDs, actually tell them and when you have proof of successful treatment it shouldn't be an issue.

Sorry to hear your news, hope everything gets sorted soon.

[Tahoma 2,298]

There is something, I am missing, what does the syphiilis condition, have to do with, (my opinion) Spututum Fiasco at St. Luke's?

The OP and his partner want to start the medical early in case St. Lukes sees something on his chest x-ray and makes him go through the three-month TB sputum culture. If the syphilis treatment delays the start of the medical by a couple of weeks, it's a couple of weeks they'll never get back if they have to wait for the culture.

[GF1804 12]

The OP and his partner want to start the medical early in case St. Lukes sees something on his chest x-ray and makes him go through the three-month TB sputum culture. If the syphilis treatment delays the start of the medical by a couple of weeks, it's a couple of weeks they'll never get back if they have to wait for the culture.

Syphilis or the antibiotics to treat it won't make his X-ray look like TB unless he actually has TB will it? Therefore if he is successfully treated for the syphilis and doesn't have TB his chest x-ray should therefore be clear or am I missing something? It shouldn't affect his time span need between the medical and the interview.