Why donate blood to RW? What kind of research is it and who needs it?

Quite often during a consultation with a doctor or with a general medical examination, patients are recommended to donate blood to the RW. What is this analysis? What is the purpose of this study? What diseases can be diagnosed with this test? Many people are interested in these questions.

Blood on RW - what is it?

This analysis is better known in medicine under the name of Wasserman's reaction. Such testing is highly specific and is used by doctors to diagnose syphilis. The importance of the study is difficult to overestimate, as it makes it possible to diagnose the disease at early stages of its development, when there are no noticeable external symptoms.

In addition, Wasserman's reaction gives the doctor an opportunity to judge how actively pale treponema (the causative agent of syphilis) behaves and, accordingly, determine the rate of development of the disease.

Who needs to donate blood to RW?

What kind of testing is already clear, but for whom such an analysis is mandatory? Naturally, it is carried out with the slightest suspicion of the presence of syphilis. For example, blood must be given to patients with a rash on the mucous membranes and skin of unknown origin, with uncharacteristic secretions from the reproductive system.

The analysis of blood on RW, on HIV is conducted after accidental unprotected sexual intercourse, rape, etc. Such a study is mandatory for patients preparing for hospitalization. It is also recommended when planning a pregnancy. By the way, pregnant women also carry out this testing, since syphilis in this case is extremely dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the child.

This study is also an obligatory part of the medical examination for employees of some professions, in particular, cooks, hairdressers, cosmetologists, medical personnel, etc. The analysis is also conducted regularly to patients with syphilis (including congenital forms) to determine if there is an effect of the treatment.

How to prepare for blood donation?

Blood for laboratory tests is taken from the vein. For reliability of results to the test it is necessary to prepare correctly. First it is worth noting that the delivery of blood to the RW is performed on an empty stomach (the last meal should be 6-12 hours before the analysis). That is why the procedure is usually prescribed for the morning time - in most out-patient departments and laboratories, blood sampling is conducted from 7 to 11 am.

Before donating blood, do not smoke, drink coffee. The day before the procedure, it is necessary to abandon excessively fatty foods and alcoholic beverages, since this can affect the accuracy of the result.

The result of the test on RW and its value

Naturally, with the results of the analysis you need to contact your doctor - the expert knows exactly what blood is given for RW, what is it. Nevertheless, general information is available. If there is no infection, the test will be negative (the "-" icon will be on the form).

As for the positive reaction, it can be treated in different ways. In the form with results, this condition is marked by one, two, three or four pluses. Three or four "+" - this is a positive or even a very positive reaction, which means - the treatment must begin immediately.

But "+" and "++" can indicate both the presence of the disease and the false positive result. Such patients are recommended to repeat the analysis again. False positive reactions are often observed among patients who abuse alcohol, or addicts. In addition, serological blood tests may be wrong with severe inflammation, cancer, infections (for example, in viral hepatitis), as well as during pregnancy and diabetes.