What is a syphilis test?

There are 3 main types of screening tests for syphilis.

Rapid plasma reagin (RPR): When harmful bacteria are in your body, your immune system makes antibodies that help to fight the bacteria. The RPR test checks your blood for signs of the antibodies that fight the bacteria that causes syphilis.

Venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL): The VDRL test also looks for the antibodies that help fight the syphilis bacteria. This test can be performed on blood or spinal fluid.

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test: This blood test also checks for syphilis antibodies. A positive EIA test should then be confirmed with either the VDRL or RPR test.

Other tests to confirm results

Tests are not always 100% accurate, so another test might be done to confirm the results.

Dark field microscopy: For this test, some tissue or fluid is taken from an open sore. A special microscope is then used to help look for the syphilis bacteria. 

Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS): This test is done on a sample of spinal fluid or blood. It looks for antibodies, but cannot be used for the first 3 to 4 weeks after catching syphilis.

Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA): This test looks for antibodies against syphilis.

Microhemagglutination assay (MHA-TP): This test looks for syphilis antibodies and can be used to confirm syphilis in its early stages.

Where can I get a syphilis test?

If you think you have been exposed to syphilis, you can get a blood test from Superdrug Online Doctor that will tell you if you’re infected. This is an easy to use test kit that is delivered to an address of your choice, and you can take the sample from the comfort of your own home. You can also get tested for syphilis at a sexual health clinic.

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How does the test work?

Our syphilis test kit is a finger prick blood test, which requires a small sample of blood (a few drops). The test works by looking for antibodies in your blood, which are created by your body in response to an infection. If the test detects these antibodies, we know that you have an infection.

How accurate is the syphilis test?

A syphilis test is nearly 100% accurate if you are tested at the right time, but it can take 3 months for the disease to show up on a test. If you have had a negative test result within 3 months from when you were exposed to syphilis, you should test again 3 months after exposure to confirm your result.

How to use the syphilis test

1. Before you use the syphilis test kit, you should wash and dry your hands.
2. Use the swab found in the test kit to clean the tip of the 3rd or 4th on the hand you don’t write with.
3. Take a lancet and twist and pull out the purple stick. Put the stick on the cleaned fingertip and press the button at the end. You will feel a small prick and a small drop of blood should form.
4. Use a clean tissue to wipe away the first drop of blood, and use your other hand to massage the pricked finger until another drop appears.
5. Take the collection tube and use it to catch the blood. You will need to fill the tube to the top line and you might need to use another lancet to get the blood you need. If you need to use another lancet then use it on a different finger.
6. When the collection tube is full, close the lid and screw it on tightly. Find the label provided in the pack and write your details on it before sticking it to the collection tube.
7. Place the collection tube in the protective wallet and then put it in the prepaid envelope provided.
8. Post the envelope to us. There is no need to buy a stamp. 

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When should I get tested for syphilis?

You should get tested for syphilis if you think you have had sex with somebody who might have been infected. You should also get tested if you have symptoms that might be caused by syphilis. 

How long after exposure should I get tested for syphilis?

It can take 3 months before syphilis is found by a test, but you can get tested before then. If you have had a test within 3 months and the result was negative then you should get tested again.

How often should you test for syphilis?

Men who have sex with other men are especially at risk of catching syphilis, so they should get tested at least once a year.

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How quickly will I get my results?

It will usually take 2 to 3 days after we receive your test before we know the result. 

When we have the result, our doctors will contact you and let you know what the result is. You will be contacted on an encrypted channel so your result is private. The doctor might sometimes choose to call you instead. We will never contact you with your results by email or text to help make sure other people don’t read your result.

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What do my results mean?

Your results will tell you if the test found syphilis, and if you have tested positive or negative for the infection.

What does a negative syphilis test result mean?

A negative syphilis test means the test has not found syphilis in your body. This does not always mean you do not have syphilis because the tests are not always 100% accurate, especially if you have tested too soon. It is advised that you get a follow up test 3 months after exposure to confirm your result.

When is a negative syphilis test conclusive?

Syphilis tests are nearly always correct if the test is done 3 months after exposure. If you are still unsure then you can take another test.

What does a positive syphilis test result mean?

A positive test means that the test has found signs of syphilis in your body. This means that you may need to start treatment to clear up the infection. No test is 100% accurate however, and in rare cases you may receive a false positive result. If you have tested positive, you can confirm your result with another test later.

What causes a false positive syphilis test?

Sometimes, a syphilis test will find antibodies from another disease and mistake those antibodies for syphilis antibodies. Some other medical conditions can also cause a false positive. It’s sometimes not known why a false positive test happens.

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What should I do if I test positive for syphilis?

If your syphilis test is positive then our doctors will let you know what your next steps are, including directing you on how to get treatment.

Can Syphilis be treated?

Yes, syphilis can be easily treated with a short course of injectable antibiotics, or antibiotic tablets if an injection is not suitable. The type of treatment you need will usually depend on how long you’ve been infected, as that can affect the severity of your infection. Antibiotic treatment will usually clear up syphilis in a few weeks, and studies have shown that penicillin is 90% to 100% effective in clearing up mild infections. 

If you’ve been infected for less than 2 years

If you’ve been infected for less than 2 years, an injection of penicillin into your buttocks is usually all that’s needed. A 10 to 14 day course of antibiotics will be used for people who cannot have penicillin. 

If you’ve been infected for more than 2 years

If you’ve been infected for more than 2 years, 3 penicillin injections into your buttocks are usually needed. If you cannot have penicillin then a 28 day course of antibiotics is used instead. 

Serious cases

Serious cases that affect the brain need penicillin injections every day for 2 weeks. The penicillin is injected into the buttocks or a vein. If you cannot take penicillin, a 28 day course of antibiotics is used instead. 

Does Superdrug Online Doctor offer treatment?

Superdrug Online Doctor does not offer treatment for syphilis, but you can get treatment at a local clinic. You can use the results from our test to get a prescription for the treatment you need. 

Do I need to contact my partners if I test positive for Syphilis?

Yes, you should contact your sexual partners if you test positive for syphilis. Syphilis is a very contagious disease and if you have it, there’s a good chance you have given it to somebody else if you’ve had sex with them. Your partner may have also transmitted syphilis to you unknowingly, so it’s important to contact your recent sexual partners to make sure they can get access to treatment if needed.

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What is Syphilis?

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

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Sources

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