Information
What is Syphilis?Syphilis is an STD that causes sores mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, and/or in the rectum. Sores can also appear on the lips and in the mouth as well as the fingers, nipples and eyelids. Syphilis often goes undetected because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from other diseases. If left untreated, Syphilis can cause damage to multiple organs in the body.
What are the most common symptoms?
Early symptoms are one or more sores appearing on the gentiles. Theses sores can also be present on the anus, fingers, lips, tongue, nipples, tonsils, or eyelids. In women, sores tend to go unnoticed because they appear on the inside of the vagina. Sores will usually disappear after three to six weeks, but the infection will continue to do damage affecting internal organs in your body.
How long does it take to develop symptoms?
Symptoms of Syphilis usually develops three weeks after exposure.
How do people get Syphilis?
Syphilis is transmitted through having direct contact with the syphilis sores and/or infected tissues and bodily fluids; it is almost always the case that you contract syphilis through sexual contact with an infected individual. Pregnant women that are infected can also transmit the disease to their unborn baby.
Testing
What is a Syphilis Test?
A Syphilis Test will require a blood sample to be taken.
Do you offer a Home Test for Syphilis?
Currently, we do not offer a Home Test option for Syphilis.
Is testing accurate?Our contracted laboratory uses the same type of STD tests that you would receive at many doctor’s offices and hospitals. However, there is always a remote chance of a false positive or a false negative result.
A false positive result means the test shows the infection to be present when the person does not have the infection.
A false negative result means the test shows no sign of infection when the person does have an infection. False negative results can happen if the test is done within the window period (period of time between the day you are infected and when a test can find the infection in your body). The window period for Syphilis is usually 10 days to 3 months.
Treatment
Is Syphilis curable or treatable?Untreated Syphilis can do damage to the heart, brain, eyes, and bones and eventually cause death. However, Syphilis is curable and your prognosis is good if caught early and treated with antibiotics. All stages of syphilis can be treated with antibiotics but damage caused by the disease in the later stages cannot be undone. Sexual contact should be avoided until the infection is cured to prevent spreading Syphilis to others.
Prevention
How can Syphilis be prevented?Any contact with sores and any other infected tissues or bodily fluids must be avoided to prevent further spreading the disease. As with many other STDs, the most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting pr transmitting Syphilis is to use latex condoms consistently and correctly during sexual activities. Getting tested and treatment early is the best way to prevent the transmission of Syphilis.
