659 lines
42 KiB
HTML
659 lines
42 KiB
HTML
|
||
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html lang="en" id="lab_test" class="nojs us" data-root="https://medlineplus.gov/">
|
||
|
||
<head>
|
||
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="window-target" content="_top" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/syphilis-tests/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/syphilis-tests/" />
|
||
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/pruebas-de-sifilis/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta name="ac-dictionary" content="medlineplus-ac-dictionary" />
|
||
|
||
<meta name="description" content="Syphilis tests are used to screen for and diagnose syphilis, a bacterial infection spread by sexual contact. Syphilis is easily treatable if found in the early stages of infection. Learn more." />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" />
|
||
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/touch-icon.png" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="fb:app_id" content="1042245625821448" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:title" content="Syphilis Tests: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
|
||
<meta property="og:url" content="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/syphilis-tests/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTest_Share2.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share3.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:description" content="Syphilis tests are used to screen for and diagnose syphilis, a bacterial infection spread by sexual contact. Syphilis is easily treatable if found in the early stages of infection. Learn more." />
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@medlineplus" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:creator" content="@medlineplus" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Syphilis Tests: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Syphilis tests are used to screen for and diagnose syphilis, a bacterial infection spread by sexual contact. Syphilis is easily treatable if found in the early stages of infection. Learn more." />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image:alt" content=""/>
|
||
<meta property="og:image:alt" content="" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<title>Syphilis Tests: MedlinePlus Medical Test</title>
|
||
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/common_new.css?1738957214867" />
|
||
<!--[if IE 8]> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ie8/common.css"> <![endif]-->
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/css/uswds_styles.css" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className = document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className.replace( /(?:^|\s)nojs(?!\S)/g , '').trim();</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds-init.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
|
||
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
|
||
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
|
||
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
|
||
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MMVM77');</script>
|
||
</head>
|
||
|
||
<body>
|
||
|
||
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MMVM77"
|
||
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" title="googletagmanager"></iframe></noscript>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a name="top" id="top"></a>
|
||
<a class="hide-offscreen" href="#start">Skip navigation</a>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<section
|
||
class="usa-banner"
|
||
aria-label="Official website of the United States government"
|
||
>
|
||
<div class="usa-accordion">
|
||
<header class="usa-banner__header">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__inner">
|
||
<div class="grid-col-auto">
|
||
<img
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
class="usa-banner__header-flag"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/us_flag_small.png"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true">
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">
|
||
An official website of the United States government
|
||
</p>
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-action">Here’s how you know</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<button
|
||
type="button"
|
||
class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button"
|
||
aria-expanded="false"
|
||
aria-controls="gov-banner-default-default"
|
||
>
|
||
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
|
||
</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<div
|
||
class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content"
|
||
id="gov-banner-default-default"
|
||
>
|
||
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img
|
||
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br />A
|
||
<strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government
|
||
organization in the United States.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img
|
||
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-https.svg"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br />A
|
||
<strong>lock</strong> (
|
||
<span class="icon-lock"
|
||
><svg
|
||
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
|
||
width="52"
|
||
height="64"
|
||
viewBox="0 0 52 64"
|
||
class="usa-banner__lock-image"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default"
|
||
focusable="false"
|
||
>
|
||
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
|
||
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc>
|
||
<path
|
||
fill="#000000"
|
||
fill-rule="evenodd"
|
||
d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"
|
||
/>
|
||
</svg> </span
|
||
>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to
|
||
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
|
||
secure websites.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-wrap">
|
||
<header>
|
||
<div id="mplus-header">
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-orgs">
|
||
<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" class="nih-org" target="_blank" title="National Institutes of Health">
|
||
<img class="nihlogo" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nihlogo.png" alt="National Institutes of Health"/>
|
||
</a><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/" target="_blank"> National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-logo" class="years-25">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/">
|
||
<img alt="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" title="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_25.png"/>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav">
|
||
|
||
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
|
||
<button id="sm-menu-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Menu" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-menu-list" type="submit">Menu<span class="icon icon-nav-menu"></span></button>
|
||
<ul id="mplus-menu-list" class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
</ul><button id="sm-search-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Search" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-search" type="submit"><span class="hide-offscreen"></span>Search<span class="icon icon-nav-search"></span></button>
|
||
|
||
<div class="top-1">
|
||
|
||
<form id="mplus-search" method="get" action="https://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta" title="Search MedlinePlus" target="_self">
|
||
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="v:project" value="medlineplus"/>
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="v:sources" value="medlineplus-bundle"/>
|
||
|
||
<div class="form-box text-combo">
|
||
<div class="form-area"><label class="hide-offscreen" for="searchtext_primary">Search MedlinePlus</label>
|
||
<input id="searchtext_primary" class="form-text" type="text" placeholder="Search MedlinePlus" alt="#Site Search input" title="Site Search input" maxlength="400" size="40" name="query" autocomplete="off" role="textbox" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="true"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="button-area">
|
||
<button class="form-btn" title="Search MedlinePlus" alt="Search MedlinePlus" type="submit">GO</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
|
||
<div class="secondarynav">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/"><span>About MedlinePlus</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html"><span>Site Map</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/syphilis-tests/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav-bar">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a id="mplus-lang-toggle" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/pruebas-de-sifilis/" title="Español">Español</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-content">
|
||
|
||
<div id="breadcrumbs">
|
||
<div itemprop="breadcrumb" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList">
|
||
<span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span>
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="1"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Tests</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="2"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
<span>Syphilis Tests</span>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/syphilis-tests/</span>
|
||
|
||
<div >
|
||
|
||
<article>
|
||
<div class="page-info">
|
||
<div class="page-title">
|
||
<a name="start" id="start"></a>
|
||
<h1>Syphilis Tests</h1>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="page-actions"></div>
|
||
<noscript><span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span></noscript>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="main">
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What are syphilis tests?</h2>
|
||
<p>Syphilis tests are used to <a data-tid="4482" href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthscreening.html">screen</a> for and diagnose <a data-tid="3017" href="https://medlineplus.gov/syphilis.html">syphilis</a>. Syphilis is one of the most common <a data-tid="400" href="https://medlineplus.gov/sexuallytransmittedinfections.html">sexually transmitted diseases</a> (STDs). It is a <a data-tid="158" href="https://medlineplus.gov/bacterialinfections.html">bacterial infection</a> that spreads through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with someone who has the infection. It can also pass during <a data-tid="3154" href="https://medlineplus.gov/infectionsandpregnancy.html">pregnancy</a> to the fetus.</p>
|
||
<p>Syphilis usually develops in stages. Each stage has different signs and symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years. In the beginning, the signs and symptoms may be mild. You may not notice them. So, you could have syphilis and not know it. You could pass the infection to someone else.</p>
|
||
<p>Syphilis is easiest to cure in the early stages of infection. If it's not treated and develops to a late stage, it can cause permanent damage to your health. Treatment can still help, but it will not reverse the damage. In rare cases, untreated syphilis can even cause death.</p>
|
||
<p>Syphilis tests can help diagnose the infection in the early stages, when it's easiest to cure. Finding and treating the infection early can also prevent the spread of syphilis to others.</p>
|
||
<p>Other names: rapid plasma reagin (RPR), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test, agglutination assay (TP-PA), darkfield microscopy</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What are they used for?</h2>
|
||
<p>Syphilis tests screen for and diagnose syphilis by looking for certain antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes when it finds harmful substances in your body.</p>
|
||
<p>Syphilis testing usually involves two steps. In most cases, the first step is a screening test to check for antibodies that are linked to having a syphilis infection. But other things may trigger your immune system to make these antibodies, such as autoimmune diseases, other infections, and vaccinations.</p>
|
||
<p>Screening tests for syphilis usually include:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)</strong>, which is a blood test.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test</strong>, which can be done on blood or spinal fluid</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>If the result of your screening test shows you have antibodies linked to syphilis infections, you'll need a second test to confirm whether or not you have syphilis.</p>
|
||
<p>Usually, the second test looks for antibodies that your immune system makes only to fight off syphilis. If you have these antibodies, it means you have a syphilis infection now, or you had a syphilis infection that was treated in the past. Common tests to check for syphilis antibodies include:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><em>Treponema pallidum</em> particle agglutination assay (TP-PA)</li>
|
||
<li>Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test</li>
|
||
<li>Microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to <em>T. pallidum</em> (MHA-TP)</li>
|
||
<li><em>T. pallidum</em> hemagglutination assay (TPHA)</li>
|
||
<li><em>T. pallidum</em> enzyme immunoassay (TP-EIA)</li>
|
||
<li>Chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA)</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>In some cases, a health care provider will use a test that looks for actual syphilis bacteria, instead of antibodies. These tests are used less often because they can only be done in specialized labs.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Why do I need a syphilis test?</h2>
|
||
<p>You should get tested for syphilis if you have symptoms of syphilis or if your sexual partner was recently diagnosed with syphilis. Symptoms usually appear about two to three weeks after infection and include:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Small, painless sore (chancre) on the genitals, or in the mouth, anus, or rectum</li>
|
||
<li>Rough, red <a data-tid="208" href="https://medlineplus.gov/rashes.html">rash</a>, usually on the palms of the hands or the bottom of the feet</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="511" href="https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html">Fever</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="273" href="https://medlineplus.gov/headache.html">Headache</a> or muscle aches</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="4748" href="https://medlineplus.gov/sorethroat.html">Sore throat</a></li>
|
||
<li>Swollen glands</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="5324" href="https://medlineplus.gov/fatigue.html">Fatigue</a></li>
|
||
<li>Weight loss</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="5282" href="https://medlineplus.gov/hairloss.html">Hair loss</a> in patches</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>Even if you don't have symptoms, you should <strong>get tested regularly</strong> if you have a high risk for getting syphilis. You're more likely to get syphilis if you have:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Multiple sex partners</li>
|
||
<li>A partner with multiple sex partners</li>
|
||
<li>Unprotected sex (sex without using a condom)</li>
|
||
<li>An <a data-tid="1" href="https://medlineplus.gov/hiv.html">HIV infection</a> and are sexually active</li>
|
||
<li>Another sexually transmitted disease, such as <a data-tid="3019" href="https://medlineplus.gov/gonorrhea.html">gonorrhea</a></li>
|
||
<li>Sex with men who have sex with men (MSM)</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>Ask your provider you how often you should get tested.</p>
|
||
<p>You will also need a syphilis test if you are <a data-tid="368" href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancy.html">pregnant</a>. If you pass it to your baby, it could cause serious, and sometimes deadly, health problems in the baby.</p>
|
||
<p>If you are pregnant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you have a <a data-pid="32867" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prenatal-panel/">syphilis test</a> at your first prenatal visit. If you are more likely to become infected with syphilis, you should be tested again at 28 weeks of pregnancy and at delivery.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What happens during a syphilis test?</h2>
|
||
<p>A syphilis test is usually a blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.</p>
|
||
<p>At any stage, syphilis can affect your brain, spinal cord, and nerves If your symptoms show that syphilis may be affecting your brain and nervous system, your provider may order a syphilis <a data-pid="722" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-analysis/">test of your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)</a>.</p>
|
||
<p>CSF is a clear fluid found in your brain and spinal cord. To get a sample of the fluid, a provider will do a procedure called a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap. During the procedure:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>You will lie on your side or sit on an exam table.</li>
|
||
<li>A health care provider will clean your back and inject an anesthetic into your skin, so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Your provider may put a numbing cream on your back before this injection.</li>
|
||
<li>Once the area on your back is completely numb, your provider will insert a thin, hollow needle between two vertebrae in your lower spine. Vertebrae are the small backbones that make up your spine.</li>
|
||
<li>Your provider will withdraw a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for testing. This will take about five minutes.</li>
|
||
<li>You'll need to stay very still while the fluid is being withdrawn.</li>
|
||
<li>Your provider may ask you to lie on your back for an hour or two after the procedure. This may prevent you from getting a headache afterward.</li>
|
||
</ul></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?</h2>
|
||
<p>You don't need any special preparations for a syphilis blood test. For a lumbar puncture, you may be asked to empty your bladder and bowels before the test.</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Are there any risks to the test?</h2>
|
||
<p>There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.</p>
|
||
<p>If you had a lumbar puncture, you may have pain or tenderness in your back where the needle was inserted. You may also get a headache after the procedure. The headache may last from a few hours to more than a week.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What do the results mean?</h2>
|
||
<p>If your screening test results are <strong>negative</strong> (normal), it means you probably don't have a syphilis infection. But after getting infected, antibodies can take a couple of weeks to develop. So you may need another screening test if you think you were exposed to syphilis. Your provider can tell you whether you need another test.</p>
|
||
<p>If your screening test results are <strong>positive</strong>, it means you have antibodies that may be from a syphilis infection. You'll need another test to confirm whether or not you have syphilis.</p>
|
||
<p>If your follow-up test confirms you have syphilis, you will probably be treated with penicillin, a type of <a data-tid="222" href="https://medlineplus.gov/antibiotics.html">antibiotic</a>. Antibiotic treatment completely cures most early-stage syphilis infections. Later-stage syphilis is also treated with antibiotics, but this treatment can't undo any damage that the syphilis caused.</p>
|
||
<p>If you have questions about your test results, or about syphilis, talk with your provider.</p>
|
||
<p>Learn more about <a data-pid="806" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results</a>.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Is there anything else I need to know about syphilis tests?</h2>
|
||
<p>If you are diagnosed with syphilis, you need to tell anyone you've had sexual contact with so that they can get tested and treated if necessary. You will likely need repeat syphilis screening tests to see how well your treatment is working. Avoid sexual contact with others until testing shows you are cured.</p>
|
||
<p>You may see "self-collection" testing kits for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases in stores and online. These kits let you collect a sample of your blood at home which you send to a lab for testing. They only test for antibodies to the syphilis bacteria. So you'll still need another test to confirm your diagnosis. Talk with your provider to find out if a self-collection test is right for you.</p>
|
||
<p>In certain parts of the world, there are bacteria that are closely related to the bacteria that cause syphilis. These other bacteria usually spread through non-sexual skin contact with sores on a person who has an infection. They can cause diseases called yaws, bejel, and pinta. Blood tests cannot tell the difference between syphilis and their related bacteria. But a provider can make a diagnosis by looking at skin sores and asking about your medical and travel history.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-refs mp-content"><h2>References</h2>
|
||
<ol>
|
||
<li>American Pregnancy Association [Internet]. Irving (TX): American Pregnancy Association; c2022. Syphilis [cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://americanpregnancy.org/womens-health/syphilis/" target="bibliowin">https://americanpregnancy.org/womens-health/syphilis/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; About Syphilis [last reviewed 2021 Aug 10; cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/syphilis/about/" target="bibliowin">https://www.cdc.gov/syphilis/about/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Pocket Guide for Providers [cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 20 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/Syphilis-Pocket-Guide-FINAL-508.pdf" target="bibliowin">https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/Syphilis-Pocket-Guide-FINAL-508.pdf</a></li>
|
||
<li>Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2022. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Symptoms and Causes; [cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lumbar-puncture/about/pac-20394631" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lumbar-puncture/about/pac-20394631</a></li>
|
||
<li>Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2022. Syphilis: Diagnosis and treatment; [cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351762" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351762</a></li>
|
||
<li>Merck Manual Professional Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2022. Bejel, Pinta, and Yaws; [full review/revision 2020 Nov; cited 2022 Feb 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/spirochetes/bejel,-pinta,-and-yaws" target="bibliowin">https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/spirochetes/bejel,-pinta,-and-yaws</a></li>
|
||
<li>Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2022. Syphilis [modified 2021 Jan; cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/syphilis" target="bibliowin">https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/syphilis</a></li>
|
||
<li>Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2022. Tests for Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders [full review/revision 2021 Jul; cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/diagnosis-of-brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/tests-for-brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders" target="bibliowin">https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/diagnosis-of-brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/tests-for-brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests [cited 2018 Mar 29]; [about 16 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests" target="bibliowin">https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Syphilis [cited 2018 Mar 29]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/syphilis" target="bibliowin">https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/syphilis</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. [Internet]. Quincy (MA); c2022. For Patients and Families: Rare Disease Database/Yaws; [cited 2022 Feb 22]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/yaws/" target="bibliowin">https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/yaws/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Syphilis Tests [last modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 14 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/syphilis-test/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/syphilis-test/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Tsang RSW, Radons SM, Morshed M. Laboratory diagnosis of syphilis: A survey to examine the range of tests used in Canada. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2018 Apr 10]; 22(3): 83–87. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3200370" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3200370</a></li>
|
||
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. University of Florida; c2022. Syphilis: Overview [reviewed 2020 Oct 25; cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/syphilis" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/syphilis</a></li>
|
||
<li>University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Rapid Plasma Reagin [cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=rapid_plasma_reagin_syphilis" target="bibliowin">https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=rapid_plasma_reagin_syphilis</a></li>
|
||
<li>University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: VDRL (CSF) [cited 2022 Feb 7]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=vdrl_csf" target="bibliowin">https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=vdrl_csf</a></li>
|
||
</ol></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="side">
|
||
<aside>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="side-section">
|
||
<div class="section-header">
|
||
<h2>Related Health Topics</h2>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="section-body">
|
||
<ul class="relatedmp">
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/antibiotics.html">Antibiotics</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/bacterialinfections.html">Bacterial Infections</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/chlamydiainfections.html">Chlamydia Infections</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/gonorrhea.html">Gonorrhea</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hiv.html">HIV</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/prenataltesting.html">Prenatal Testing</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sexuallytransmittedinfections.html">Sexually Transmitted Infections</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/syphilis.html">Syphilis</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div></section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="side-section">
|
||
<div class="section-header">
|
||
<h2>Related Medical Tests</h2>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="section-body">
|
||
<ul class="relatedmp">
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/chlamydia-test/">Chlamydia Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/gonorrhea-test/">Gonorrhea Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hiv-screening-test/">HIV Screening Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-cope-with-medical-test-anxiety/">How to Cope with Medical Test Anxiety</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">How to Understand Your Lab Results</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/human-papillomavirus-hpv-test/">Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prenatal-panel/">Prenatal Panel</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/sexually-transmitted-infection-sti-tests/">Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Tests</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/trichomoniasis-test/">Trichomoniasis Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/what-you-need-to-know-about-blood-testing/">What You Need to Know About Blood Testing</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div></section>
|
||
|
||
</aside>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="bottom">
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="lt-disclaimer">
|
||
<p>The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="citation-how-to">
|
||
<button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<footer>
|
||
<div id="mplus-footer">
|
||
<div class="footer1">
|
||
|
||
<ul class="secondarynav">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/syphilis-tests/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<ul class="follow-footer">
|
||
<li>
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rss.html" class="follow-item">Subscribe to RSS<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/feed.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="RSS" title="RSS"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>
|
||
<span class="follow-label">Follow us</span>
|
||
<a href="https://twitter.com/medlineplus" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_twitter.png" class="follow-icon" alt="X" title="X">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a href="https://facebook.com/Mplus.gov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_fb.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mplusgov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Instagram_Glyph_Gradient_RGB.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Instagram" title="Instagram">
|
||
</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/social-media-toolkit/" class="social-media-toolkit-item">Social Media Toolkit<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_social_media_toolkit.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="Social Media Toolkit" title="Social Media Toolkit"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="footer2">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href=" https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html" target='_blank'>NLM Web Policies</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/usingcontent/" >Copyright</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/criteria/">Guidelines for Links</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/plugins.html">Viewers & Players</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" target="_blank">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-connect/">MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/developers/">For Developers</a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<div class="address">
|
||
<a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
<span>8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894</span>
|
||
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="date">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<span id="lastupdate">Last updated April 8, 2022</span>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="return-top"><a href="#top" title="Return to top"><img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/return-top.png"></a></div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-frontend-controls-new.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-share.js?id=1112022" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<!--[if lte IE 9]><script src="//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/jslib/jquery.placeholder.js" type="text/javascript"></script><![endif]-->
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/control.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script type='application/ld+json'>{
|
||
"@context": "http://schema.org",
|
||
"@type": "MedicalWebPage",
|
||
"headline": "Syphilis Tests",
|
||
"description": "Syphilis tests are used to screen for and diagnose syphilis. Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is a bacterial infection that spreads through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with someone who has the infection. It can also pass during pregnancy to the fetus. Syphilis usually develops in stages. Each stage has different signs and symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years. In the beginning, the signs and symptoms may be mild. You may not notice them. So, you could have syphilis and not know it. You could pass the infection to someone else. Syphilis is easiest to cure in the early stages of infection. If it's not treated and develops to a late stage, it can cause permanent damage to your health. Treatment can still help, but it will not reverse the damage. In rare cases, untreated syphilis can even cause death. Syphilis tests can help diagnose the infection in the early stages, when it's easiest to cure. Finding and treating the infection early can also prevent the spread of syphilis to others. Other names: rapid plasma reagin (RPR), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test, agglutination assay (TP-PA), darkfield microscopy",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/syphilis-tests/",
|
||
"publisher": {
|
||
"@type": "Organization",
|
||
"legalName": "National Library of Medicine",
|
||
"url": "https://www.nlm.nih.gov",
|
||
"brand": {
|
||
"@type": "Brand",
|
||
"name": "MedlinePlus",
|
||
"description": "MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. It is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, and a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov",
|
||
"logo": {
|
||
"@type": "ImageObject",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_primary.png"
|
||
}
|
||
},
|
||
"parentOrganization": {
|
||
"@type": "Organization",
|
||
"legalName": "National Institutes of Health",
|
||
"url": "https://www.nih.gov"
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
}</script>
|
||
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|