Description
How we test for Syphilis
Our physicians use the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) syphilis test, which looks for antibodies that fight a syphilis infection. If positive, a Treponemal Pallidum Assay (TPA) test is used to confirm the presence of the bacteria. Getting tested is essential because it is possible to have a symptomless infection and unknowingly transmit it to your partner.
All laboratory testing, including STD tests, accuracy rates are measured in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Our FDA-cleared syphilis test has a sensitivity rate of 95% and a specificity of 91%.
More Information About Syphilis Testing
Does syphilis testing use blood or urine?
To test for syphilis, we use a small blood sample.
What do I need to do to prepare for the test?
No preparation or fasting is necessary to take this syphilis test.
When is the right time to test for syphilis?
It is recommended that you wait a minimum of 3-6 weeks post-exposure before taking a syphilis test. Once you have been treated for syphilis, get re-tested in 3 months to ensure that the syphilis infection has been cleared.
What will the test results say?
There are two possible outcomes: positive (reactive) or negative (non-reactive). A negative result means that there were no detectable traces of syphilis in your system. A positive result may indicate that you have syphilis. However, a positive diagnosis cannot be established until a TPA confirmation test can be run that differentiates syphilis from other conditions.
Can syphilis be cured or treated?
Yes, syphilis is curable and can be treated with antibiotics. Should you test positive for syphilis, our physicians are available to discuss your test results over the phone at no additional cost.
Who needs syphilis testing?
If you are sexually active, you are at risk of contracting syphilis. Not only is it easy for you to transmit, it can also lie dormant for many years without displaying symptoms. The best way to be sure about your status is to get tested. Testing for syphilis should be a regular part of your STD screening, particularly if you had unprotected sex and are unsure of your partner’s status.
When is the Right Time to Test For Syphilis?
Now is the best time to test for syphilis. Know your sexual health status today.
If you had a recent encounter with someone whose STD status you do not know, it is important that you get tested. Our doctors recommend testing for syphilis at least 3-6 weeks post-exposure, then again at three months to confirm that the syphilis infection has been cleared.
Also if you have not been tested for other STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis A, B, C, and herpes-1 or herpes-2, in the last year, our doctors recommend taking the all-inclusive 10 Test Panel testing to ensure that you are completely STD free.
We also offer a chlamydia-gonorrhea test panel. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are known as co-existing infections, meaning that having one infection may put you at risk of having the other.
For answers to your questions about testing for syphilis, call our Care Advisors 24/7 at 1-800-456-2323.
Medically Reviewed by J. Frank Martin JR., MD on Jun 18, 2019
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What happens if you test positive for Syphilis?
If you test positive for Syphilis, you are eligible for a phone consultation with one of our doctors. You can choose a convenient time for this phone consultation. Our doctor will explain what your results mean, ask you questions and prescribe treatment or request further testing at their discretion.
We are here for you. Call us at 1-800-456-2323
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