Syphilis. A new look at an old killer

Thirty-four-year-old George Talbot was admitted to your medical/surgical unit with deep vein thrombosis of his left leg, probably related to intravenous drug abuse. So it's no surprise that Mr. Talbot is receiving heparin IV. Today, however, you notice that his physician has prescribed one dose (2.4 million units) of benzathine penicillin IM. You're not sure why until you check the patient's lab work. Mr. Talbot's rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test was reactive. The physician is treating Mr. Talbot for syphilis.