Buy a Syphilis Test

Types of Tests for Syphilis

Blood Test

The STI Clinic has a specialist test for Syphilis where we can look for antibodies from a tiny sample of blood that you can collect at home using a finger prick test. The small blood sample is returned to our lab in a reply paid envelope and we can have results in as little as 4 hours. The blood test can be combined with other tests such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C. We are able to distinguish between a past infection and a recent or current infection.

Symptomatic Lesion Test

If you have a lesion that may be symptomatic of a primary Syphilis infection, then we can provide a swab test. You simply rub the swab (a bit like a cotton bud) over the lesion and we will test it for Syphilis and Herpes. If the test comes back as positive for herpes we are able to distinguish between types 1 and 2. This test is run at a referral laboratory overseas, so the turnaround time is longer at 4 - 5 working days.

When to Test

The Symptomatic Lesion Test can only be done if you have a lesion to swab. The blood test can be done at any time from 9 days after potential exposure. Syphilis is normally detectable between days 9 and 21 but it can take up to 3 months to show up in a blood sample.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is passed through sexual contact. The first symptoms normally involve a sore called a chancre that appears at the site of the infection. This sore will start off as a raised area and will soon develop into an ulcer. The ulcer will eventually heal but if the infection is not treated it will go on to the secondary phase that normally involves a rash and a sore throat and a general feeling of being unwell. At this stage, only a blood test will reveal the infection. The third phase is more serious, where the infection affects the organs, including the brain. If syphilis is not treated then it can lead to death.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who is having unprotected sex is at risk but men who have sex with men (MSM) are at a much higher risk. Around 60% of all diagnosed cases in the UK are in people who identified as MSM.

How is Syphilis transmitted?

Syphilis is transferred when an infected area of mucous membrane comes into contact with the mucous membrane of another person. Contrary to popular myth, you cannot contract syphilis from a lavatory seat!

For further information, please go to our Syphilis information page.