If you suspect you have syphilis, visit your GP, genitourinary (GUM) clinic or sexual health clinic as soon as possible. The earlier syphilis is treated, the less chance there is of serious complications.
Examination
The GP or nurse will examine your genitals. For men, this involves looking at your penis, foreskin and urethra (the hole at the end of your penis where urine comes out). For women, it involves an internal examination of your vagina. Both men and women may also have their anus examined.
Tests
After examination, you may have any of the below tests for syphilis. The results should be available within 7 to 10 days.
Blood test
If you are infected with syphilis, your body produces antibodies (proteins released as part of your immune response) against the syphilis bacteria.
Therefore one way of determining whether you have syphilis is to have a sample of your blood tested for the presence of these antibodies.
- A positive result (antibodies present) indicates that you either have the infection or you used to have it - because the antibodies can remain in your body for years, even after a previous infection was treated.
- A negative result does not necessarily mean you do not have syphilis, as the antibodies may not be detectable for up to three months after infection.
Every pregnant women should have a blood test for syphilis as the infection can kill unborn or newly born babies. The blood test is usually done during an antenatal appointment at weeks 11-20 of pregnancy. If the test is positive, treatment for both the mother and the baby can begin.
Swab
If sores are present, a swab (like a cotton bud) will be used to take a small sample of fluid from the sore, which is then sent to a laboratory for examination. Any bacteria present in the swab sample will show up under the microscope.
Other STIs
You should also be routinely tested for the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV or gonorrhoea, as it is possible to have more than one STI at a time.
