When I was 30, I contracted syphilis. Now I'm 49. I was in the hospital last week. Today, my doctor called to tell me I tested positive for syphilis. In the intervening years, I've been married for 10 years and then in a mongomous relationship for six years. If I had it, I am 99 percent positive it would have to be from the first infection. My doctor is a psychiatrist, so he could not decipher all of the information sent to him and I don't know what kind of test was used. I do know I've "passed" at least one VDRL some years ago, probably more. Is it possible I still have antibodies from the first infection but that the test was a false positive? That is, it picked up the fact I once had syphilis but that since I had it treated, I don't need to worry? I will see a doctor either way, but I'm obviously freaking out. I am hoping this could just be a false alarm. Also, if the test is correct, can I take oral medication given that I'm allergic to penicillin, and what would treatment entail?