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. Read more about what happens at a sexual health clinic. All pregnant women are offered a blood test to check for syphilis, usually at around weeks of pregnancy.
A syphilis infection during pregnancy can be very dangerous for the baby, but the screening test can help ensure it's detected and treated as soon as possible. The test can be repeated if there's a risk you may have been exposed to syphilis later in your pregnancy.
Risks Blood sample There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from your fingertip or a vein. You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this. Sore or skin sample There is very little risk of problems from having a sample taken from an open sore, skin rash, or mucous membrane.
Spinal fluid sample There is little risk linked with having a lumbar puncture to obtain a spinal fluid sample. Results Syphilis tests tell if a person has the disease. Results are usually available in 7 to 10 days. Darkfield microscopic examination Normal: No syphilis germs are seen. Abnormal: Syphilis germs are seen. Syphilis tests of blood and spinal fluid Normal: No syphilis antibodies are found. This is called a nonreactive or negative result.
Abnormal: Antibodies are found. This is called a reactive or positive test. A result that is not clearly normal or abnormal is called inconclusive or equivocal. Testing may need to be repeated if: Results of the first test are uncertain.
You have had repeated exposure to syphilis, such as from repeated unprotected intercourse. What Affects the Test You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if: You use antibiotics before you have the test. You have a blood transfusion in the weeks before having the test. You have another condition or disease, such as lupus, liver disease, HIV infection, or a tropical bacterial infection called yaws.
In the United States, your health professional must report to the state health department that you have syphilis. To learn more about testing for sexually transmitted infections, see: Gonorrhea Test. Chlamydia Tests. Herpes Tests. Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis BV. Vaginal Wet Mount. HIV Test. References Citations U. Preventive Services Task Force Screening for syphilis infection in pregnant women: U.
Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmation recommendation statement. JAMA , 9 : — DOI: Accessed January 17, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cerebrospinal fluid. If it's suspected that you have nervous system complications of syphilis, your doctor may also suggest collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid through a lumbar puncture.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Syphilis — CDC fact sheet detailed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 14, Hicks CB, et al. Syphilis: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations in HIV-uninfected patients. Merck Manual Professional Version. Syphilis: Treatment and monitoring.
Syphilis: Screening and diagnostic testing. Syphilis — CDC fact sheet. Accessed July 30, Untreated babies may become developmentally delayed, have seizures, or die. All babies born to mothers who test positive for syphilis during pregnancy should be screened for syphilis and examined thoroughly for evidence of congenital syphilis. Treponemal tests e. Treponemal antibodies appear earlier than nontreponemal antibodies and usually remain detectable for life, even after successful treatment. If a treponemal test is used for screening and the results are positive, a nontreponemal test with titer should be performed to confirm diagnosis and guide patient management decisions.
Based on the results, further treponemal testing may be indicated. Reverse sequence testing can identify persons previously treated for syphilis and those with untreated syphilis.
False-positive results can occur in those with low likelihood of infection with reverse sequence testing as well. Special note: Because untreated syphilis in a pregnant woman can infect her developing baby, every pregnant woman should have a blood test for syphilis.
All women should be screened at their first prenatal visit. Some patients should receive a second test during the third trimester at 28 weeks and again at delivery. All infants born to mothers who have reactive nontreponemal and treponemal test results should be evaluated for congenital syphilis.
A quantitative nontreponemal test should be performed on infant serum and, if reactive, the infant should be examined thoroughly for evidence of congenital syphilis.
Suspicious lesions, body fluids, or tissues e. Other recommended evaluations may include analysis of cerebrospinal fluid by VDRL, cell count and protein, CBC with differential and platelet count, and long-bone radiographs.
For further guidance on evaluation of infants for congenital syphilis, please refer to the STI Treatment Guidelines. There is an estimated 2- to 5-fold increased risk of acquiring HIV if exposed to that infection when syphilis is present. The recommended treatment for adults and adolescents with primary, secondary, or early latent syphilis is Benzathine penicillin G 2.
The recommended treatment for adults and adolescents with late latent syphilis or latent syphilis of unknown duration is Benzathine penicillin G 7. The recommended treatment for neurosyphilis, ocular syphilis, or otosyphilis is Aqueous crystalline penicillin G million units per day, administered as million units intravenously every 4 hours or continuous infusion, for days.
Treatment will prevent disease progression, but it might not repair damage already done. Selection of the appropriate penicillin preparation is important to properly treat and cure syphilis. Combinations of some penicillin preparations e. Although data to support the use of alternatives to penicillin is limited, options for non-pregnant patients who are allergic to penicillin may include doxycycline, tetracycline, and for neurosyphilis, potentially ceftriaxone. These therapies should be used only in conjunction with close clinical and laboratory follow-up to ensure appropriate serological response and cure.
Persons who receive syphilis treatment must abstain from sexual contact with new partners until the syphilis sores are completely healed. Persons with syphilis must notify their sex partners so that they also can be tested and receive treatment if necessary.
Any person with signs or symptoms suggestive of syphilis should be tested for syphilis. Also, anyone with an oral, anal, or vaginal sex partner who has been recently diagnosed with syphilis should be tested for syphilis.
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