Positive syphilis test for Thai work permit

[timendres]

On 11/22/2017 at 8:25 PM, FruitPudding said:

Does anyone know if the Ministry of Labour requires the lab slip with the test result on it, or do they just want the health certificate?

MOL wants the standard signed medical certificate and nothing more.

[Tashiro]

On 8/23/2019 at 11:04 PM, timendres said:

As mentioned previously, stage 3 syphilis can be detected by visual examination. BumRunGrad will not run a blood test unless the doctor sees some evidence suggesting that it is needed, or you request it. BRG is running an assembly line approach to WP medical certificates.

 

Not the first time, nor any of the following 5 times, I got my MC at BRG was a blood test ever suggested or required. If you don't mention the syphilis, there will be no problems. Just walk in, say you feel like you are in perfect heath, the doctor will examine you visually and check your lungs with the stethoscope, and you will be directed to the payment window. End of story.

Hi Timendres,

 

Same issue as John and freaking out if my WP will be denied due to past syphilis infection (which I have received treatment for). The blood tests will come back as reactive ???? Even if you have received treatment. 

 

When was the last time you did your exam for medical certificate at BRG? Looking to have mine next week or week after that. I know other hospitals have to do all the blood work. 

 

[BKKBike09]

Why go to a major hospital if it's only a medical for WP renewal? There are clinics all over Bangkok that will do you a WP medical for THB 500 or thereabouts. There's a clinic (BLEZ) on the main road between the Pullman hotel and the Shell petrol station at top of Sukhumvit 23 which will have you in and out in 10 minutes. As an aside, owned by Japanese and has a friendly Japanese receptionist.

[Tashiro]

3 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

Why go to a major hospital if it's only a medical for WP renewal? There are clinics all over Bangkok that will do you a WP medical for THB 500 or thereabouts. There's a clinic (BLEZ) on the main road between the Pullman hotel and the Shell petrol station at top of Sukhumvit 23 which will have you in and out in 10 minutes. As an aside, owned by Japanese and has a friendly Japanese receptionist.

 

Hi BKKBike,

 

Employer said they will give a list of hospitals where to have the medical tests done. Can the employer actually choose where to have the tests done? This is for the first work permit, not a renewal BTW. 

 

Thanks for recommending BLEZ. Will look at that. 

[timendres]

12 hours ago, Tashiro said:

Hi Timendres,

 

Same issue as John and freaking out if my WP will be denied due to past syphilis infection (which I have received treatment for). The blood tests will come back as reactive ???? Even if you have received treatment. 

 

When was the last time you did your exam for medical certificate at BRG? Looking to have mine next week or week after that. I know other hospitals have to do all the blood work. 

 

Did my last WP MC in February of this year. Have done it at BRG 5 years in a row. Never a blood test. And your WP will not be denied for being positive for syphilis antibodies. It clearly states third stage syphilis, which you do not have. Just go to BRG, tell them you need a MC for a WP, and do not mention syphilis. You will have no problems whatsoever.

[Tashiro]

14 minutes ago, timendres said:

Did my last WP MC in February of this year. Have done it at BRG 5 years in a row. Never a blood test. And your WP will not be denied for being positive for syphilis antibodies. It clearly states third stage syphilis, which you do not have. Just go to BRG, tell them you need a MC for a WP, and do not mention syphilis. You will have no problems whatsoever.

 

Hi Timendres,

 

This made my day. Thanks! I appreciate it! 

[FruitPudding]

On 8/27/2019 at 6:14 AM, timendres said:

Did my last WP MC in February of this year. Have done it at BRG 5 years in a row. Never a blood test. And your WP will not be denied for being positive for syphilis antibodies. It clearly states third stage syphilis, which you do not have. Just go to BRG, tell them you need a MC for a WP, and do not mention syphilis. You will have no problems whatsoever.

 

Actually, where I live they want to see and non-reactive (negative) result on the lab slip, not only the medical certificate.

 

It depends on the test. VDRL will almost always turn back to non-reactive (negative) some time after treatment though it can take many months. Though 20% will become serofast which means your VDRL test will get stuck on reactive (positive) forever.

 

TPHA will never turn back to negative because it detects antibodies which always remain.

 

The VDRL does not look for antibodies, but instead a material produced by active infection. This is the standard screening test although some hospitals will give TPHA because they don't have VDRL and they will flat out lie to you saying it is a VDRL, despite the lab-slip saying TPHA, lol!

 

[FruitPudding]

On 8/26/2019 at 5:54 PM, Tashiro said:

Hi Timendres,

 

Same issue as John and freaking out if my WP will be denied due to past syphilis infection (which I have received treatment for). The blood tests will come back as reactive ???? Even if you have received treatment. 

 

When was the last time you did your exam for medical certificate at BRG? Looking to have mine next week or week after that. I know other hospitals have to do all the blood work. 

 

The VDRL usually turns back to negative a few months after treatment. The TPHA will never. Get a VDRL test and check the lab slip to make sure it is a VDRL cos they will sometimes do a TPHA and tell you it is VDRL.

 

VDRL looks for active infection, though it can take a long time to seroconvert back to negative after treatment and in a few cases will get stuck on positive.

 

TPHA looks for antibodies and will always be positive for life.

 

Make sure you are getting the right test (check the lab slip not what they say) and enough time has past since treatment. You almost certainly won't get an negative result within 3 months from treatment, could take much longer.

 

Go to a doctor who is an infectious disease specialist or the person who treated you. They will understand these things and they can write the medical certificate for you.

[ricklev]

31 minutes ago, FruitPudding said:

The VDRL usually turns back to negative a few months after treatment. The TPHA will never. Get a VDRL test and check the lab slip to make sure it is a VDRL cos they will sometimes do a TPHA and tell you it is VDRL.

 

VDRL looks for active infection, though it can take a long time to seroconvert back to negative after treatment and in a few cases will get stuck on positive.

 

TPHA looks for antibodies and will always be positive for life.

 

Make sure you are getting the right test (check the lab slip not what they say) and enough time has past since treatment. You almost certainly won't get an negative result within 3 months from treatment, could take much longer.

 

Go to a doctor who is an infectious disease specialist or the person who treated you. They will understand these things and they can write the medical certificate for you.

You are making this so much more stressful than it needs to be.  Just go to Medconsult Asia and explain what you need to Dr. Donna.  She is a Thai licensed British doctor who does work permits exams every day.  She will understand all your concerns and knows exactly what is required for the work permit document.  And it will cost 200 baht.      

Edited September 9, 2019 by ricklev

[SenorJorge]

Whatever you do ignore the medical advice from punters here and follow the advice of your doctors.  Syphilis is relatively easy to treat caught early.  Thailand is getting incredibly dangerous with std.

[FruitPudding]

29 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

The VDRL test is not reliable in Thailand and produces many false negative results. It is a general screening test that should never be judged by itself.  Much like screening tests for HIV. However, if you are concerned syphilis is easily treated.  

BS.

 

Why is it not reliable in Thailand?  You may get a false negative within 3 months of infection or after many many many years when the infection is inactive. Oh and of course the prozone effect can cause a false negative, which is rare and observed all over the world, not just Thailand.

 

If it is non-reactive (negative), you don't have an active infection. Simple. Though window period times still apply.

Edited September 9, 2019 by FruitPudding

[FruitPudding]

9 minutes ago, FruitPudding said:

It is a general screening test that should never be judged by itself. 

Actually, it IS judged by itself routinely all over the world.

 

It is the standard first-line screening test and if non-reactive (negative) there is no need for further testing, unless suspicious symptoms are present.

[FruitPudding]

52 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

For the same reason he came to Thailand. Does it need further explanation why most farangs come to Thailand? They come for brothel visits, and older ones come here for the possibility of finding a poor younger mate pimped to him during his numerous brothel visits. What percentage of farangs marry sex workers in their home country? 

 

From all the replies to this post, it seems lots of people are well versed in the subject. I wonder why? 

 

You clearly don't appreciate the work that goes into getting Syphilis. It ain't that easy, you know! 

[FruitPudding]

2 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

Not really VDRL and RPRs need confirmation. They are  screening tests not confirmation tests. 

You obviously are not a qualified Health Care Professional. Syphilis is a serious disease but is easily treated. Even non-reactions should be repeated in at risk individuals. 

For a work permit, I would insist on confirmation. If confirmation is negative that's the result that should be given.

As with HIV negatives should be reported, but positives should only state additional testing requested.

 

They only need a confirmation test if they, themselves, are reactive (positive). If the VDRL test is non-reactive (negative) no confirmation test is given. This is standard procedure, everywhere. 

 

The confirmation test for a positive VDRL would be a TPHA test. That is positive forever after infection, so doing that for the work permit wouldn't make a lot of sense.

[genobkk]

On 3/12/2017 at 8:43 PM, john011 said:

This is exactly what I submit every year upon renewal of my work permit. And my company is always looking at the "non-reactive" result of the syphilis test, every time we submit this lab result to the company liaison officer.

And this is what worries me by the time I go for the test to get a medical certificate for work permit renewal.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

It depends on the type of blood test. The fast finger <deleted> test will  say you are positive  (reactive) if you had it before, but a real  blood test will come back non reactive normally. I can be corrected by those who no more.   

[genobkk]

4 hours ago, FruitPudding said:

 

Actually, where I live they want to see and non-reactive (negative) result on the lab slip, not only the medical certificate.

 

It depends on the test. VDRL will almost always turn back to non-reactive (negative) some time after treatment though it can take many months. Though 20% will become serofast which means your VDRL test will get stuck on reactive (positive) forever.

 

TPHA will never turn back to negative because it detects antibodies which always remain.

 

The VDRL does not look for antibodies, but instead a material produced by active infection. This is the standard screening test although some hospitals will give TPHA because they don't have VDRL and they will flat out lie to you saying it is a VDRL, despite the lab-slip saying TPHA, lol!

 

Well said, I tried to explain this but you did a better job 

[BritTim]

I am not a medical professional, but have read up extensively on STDs in the past. There are many different tests for syphilis, mostly checking for antibodies that are often not specific to syphilis alone. A few tests look for the germ itself. For a good layman's introduction to this complex area, I recommend https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw5839. Note, though, that even general practitioners should not be trusted to properly diagnose active syphilis infections. This is an area for an STD specialist.

[BKKBike09]

In the context of this particular thread, forget all this talk about reactivity and antibodies and all that. The advice that is needed is: where to get a medical certificate to renew a work permit, at minimal cost and with as little actual examination as possible. The answer is that there are clinics everywhere that will provide this pointless but nonetheless essential piece of paper for 500 baht or less. It's just another bureaucratic requirement where actual medical history is irrelevant. I'm a pilot; I do a full aviation medical check up annually but I can't use that for my WP extension because it doesn't include a check for syphilis or elephantiasis. Go figure.

[Number 6]

On 3/12/2017 at 9:54 PM, Sheryl said:

Please ignore the medical advice some have given (amoxicillin, zithromax etc). These are not the correct drugs for treating syphilis; benzathine penicillin is, which it sounds like you have started a course of.

 

And yes, even once cured you will still have antibodies and thus test reactive to any antibody-based test.

 

However, AFAIK it is not required that you have a syphilis blood test, only that a doctor certify that you do not have third stage syphilis (along with several other diseases). Many clinics and some hospitals do this based on physical exam, no blood test.

 

See this thread

 

There are indeed small clinics about that issue medical certificates in a, shall we say, loose manner, That is probably your best bet.

Thankfully proper medical advice stepped in.

 

Amoxicillin doesn't even cure a sore throat these days.

 

You can easily find clinics that issue certificates 'quickly'. I know 2-3 myself.

 

[Number 6]

21 minutes ago, BKKBike09 said:

In the context of this particular thread, forget all this talk about reactivity and antibodies and all that. The advice that is needed is: where to get a medical certificate to renew a work permit, at minimal cost and with as little actual examination as possible. The answer is that there are clinics everywhere that will provide this pointless but nonetheless essential piece of paper for 500 baht or less. It's just another bureaucratic requirement where actual medical history is irrelevant. I'm a pilot; I do a full aviation medical check up annually but I can't use that for my WP extension because it doesn't include a check for syphilis or elephantiasis. Go figure.

Elephantiasis... can't be careful enough these days tsk tsk tsk tsk

[FruitPudding]

3 hours ago, FredGallaher said:

You are mixing things up. A non reactive VDRL is reported "Non Reactive" or negative. No further testing needed.

A reactive VDRL needs confirmation because there are possible "reactive" or false positive results. These need confirmation. False positive result for VDRL are not uncommon. 

Are you an authority on this or do you just want to write stuff?

 

We seem to be in complete agreement. I have read what you wrote a few times and I can't seem to see anything different from what I wrote, except perhaps our verbiage styles.

 

3 hours ago, FredGallaher said:

You are mixing things up. A non reactive VDRL is reported "Non Reactive" or negative. No further testing needed.

 That's exactly what I said. We are not in disagreement.

[sunnyboy2018]

On 3/12/2017 at 12:05 PM, Deathlay said:

Get amoxicillin and take a course to be double sure

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 

He has. Read his thread. Amoxicillin is in the penicillin family.

[ubonjoe]

I think this 2 and half year old topic has now run its course since somebody dug it up again.

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