Syphilis

The only way to find out if you have syphilis is to get tested.

Syphilis won't normally go away on its own and can cause serious problems if left undiagnosed and untreated.

This page covers:

Who should get tested for syphilis

Where to get a syphilis test

What the test for syphilis involves

Screening for syphilis in pregnancy

Who should get tested for syphilis

You should get tested for syphilis if:

• you're worried you might have it
• a sexual partner has been diagnosed with syphilis
• you have symptoms of syphilis

It's particularly important to get tested in these cases if you've had unprotected sex, you have multiple sexual partners, you're a man who has sex with men, or you've had sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the past.

Where to get a syphilis test

The best place to get tested for syphilis is agenitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or sexual health clinic.

Findyour nearest GUM or sexual health clinic

These clinics are staffed by healthcare professionals with special expertise in STIs and they tend to have easier access to the tests and treatments for syphilis than your local GP surgery.

You also don't have to payfor treatment if you go to a GUM or sexual health clinic. If you go to your GP surgery for treatment, you may have to pay a prescription charge.

You can go to your GP if you prefer, although they may refer you to a GUM or sexual health clinic if they suspect you might have an STI.

What the test for syphilis involves

You'll be asked about your sexual history and habits, and whether you're experiencing any symptoms.

To diagnose syphilis, you'll usually have a:

• physical examination a doctor or nurse will ask to examine your genitals (and inside the vagina for women) or other parts of your bodyto look for growths or rashes that may be caused by syphilis
• blood test this can show whether you have syphilis or have had it in the past;repeating thetest a few weeks later may be recommended if it's negative, in case it was too early to give an accurate result
• swab test a swab (similar toa cotton bud) isused to take a small sample of fluid from any sores, so it can be checked for syphilis

You should also be tested for other STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea , as it's possible to have more than one STI at a time. Some results may be available the same day, while others may take a week or two to come back.

You should avoid having sex or close sexual contact with anyone else until you get your test results.

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