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Woman Says False-Positive Test Result Nearly Ruined Her Life

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Inaccurate test results for sexually transmitted diseases happens more often than you think.

People are told they have Syphilis, when they really don't, and they're subjected to unnecessary, potentially harmful treatment. It happened to one Philadelphia woman, who says the misdiagnosis ruined her life.

The Philadelphia region has extremely high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, mainly among people with multiple partners. Doctors say testing and treatment is critical, but the test results aren't always accurate.

When Edna Villafane was 3-months pregnant, a routine test showed she had the sexually transmitted disease syphilis, but she'd been in a monogamous long-term relationship with Michael the father of her other children.

"I was in shock, in shock, didn't know what to think," Edna said.

Michael's syphilis test was negative and the relationship fell apart. Edna was an emotional wreck.

"In my heart I knew I didn't do anything wrong," she said.

The Drexel Clinic, that did the test, treated Edna with penicillin. Edna says it was a tough pregnancy, she wasn't gaining weight. 4 months after the first test, a second one showed Edna didn't have syphilis after all.

"I've been really upset, hurt, embarrassed," she said.

The baby Haley was born a month prematurely.

"We know mistakes happen," said Edna's lawyer Jim Radmore. "There should have been a re-test," Radmore said.

Edna is suing Drexel for negligence.

The CDC says between 18 to 30 percent of syphilis tests are inaccurate. Positive results are really negative, and because of that people who get positive results should be immediately retested. That didn't happen with Edna.

"This is the letter from Drexel apologizing to me for the mistake on their behalf," Edna said showing the letter.

The letter from the Drexel University College of Medicine says there was a mistake in the office.

Edna's family is now reunited, but she says the emotional scars will never heal, and she's worried about Haley. She's concerned the high dose of penicillin given during the pregnancy, or all the emotional turmoil will eventually hurt her little girl.

"Don't know what to expect in the future, really don't," Edna said.

Drexel says it can't comment on what happened to Edna, because of the pending litigation.

Syphilis rates in Philadelphia are especially high and if left untreated it can cause serious, even deadly complications. Doctors say people who get positive test results, should always be retested. For information on syphilis, go to http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/

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