Syphilis Testing

Syphilis

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a bacteria that is sexually transmitted.  It is transmitted through direct sexual contact with a person infected with early syphilis.  Syphilis can also be transmitted from mother to baby during delivery.  Syphilis is known as “the great imitator” because many signs and symptoms mimic other diseases.

There are 4 stages of Syphilis infection.

1. Primary Syphilis:

• Causes a local infection
• A lesion develops, ulcerates, and then forms a chancre usually 2-3 weeks after exposure but can range from 10-90 days

2. Secondary Syphilis:

• Occurs 4-10 weeks after Primary Syphilis Infection
• The bacteria becomes widespread in the infected person’s bloodstream

3. Early Latent Syphilis and Late-Latent Syphilis:

• Usually has no symptoms whatsoever at this point
• Diagnosed at this time mostly due to screening with a blood test

4. Tertiary Syphilis:

• About 30% of people infected with syphilis who are untreated will develop Tertiary Syphilis after 2-50 years from initial infection
• This is characterized by many complications that can affect the cardiovascular system, brain and nervous system

Who is at risk?

Anyone with a new partner or multiple sexual partners can be at risk.  Anyone who has sexual contact without protection is at risk.  All Incidence is higher in age groups 20-29 years old.  There is a higher incidence of HIV with Syphilis infection, so all persons diagnosed with Syphilis should be tested for HIV.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Primary syphilis is characterized by a single, painless ulceration and swollen tender lymph nodes in the surrounding area.  The ulceration heals on its own, but this does not mean that the infection is gone.

The later stages of syphilis have symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Muscle Aches
• Bone Aches
• Swollen Lymph Nodes
• Rash affecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet as well as the trunk and scalp.
• Nodules that arise in the skin, liver, bones, and testes.
•  The bacteria may infect the brain and nervous system leading to headache, hearing loss, seizures, and other neurologic problems.

The effects of the cardiovascular system include inflammation and scarring on vessel walls, leading to potential aneurysms and narrowing of vessels.

Testing

Anyone who has risk factors or signs and symptoms of Syphilis should be tested.  The test is a simple blood test.  At Vegas STD Testing we offer two types of blood testing for the detection of Syphilis:

1. Trepsure testing is useful if it has been 2-4 weeks since a possible exposure.
2. RPR is the test of choice if it has been 4 or more weeks since possible exposure but can take up to 3 months to give an accurate result if exposed.

All patients with syphilis should be tested for other diseases such as HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Herpes Simplex.

Treatment

It is important to test and treat Syphilis early to prevent complications.  Syphilis can be cured and treated with appropriate antibiotics.  All sexual partners up to 1 year from diagnosis should be tested and treated if needed.

Condoms should be utilized to prevent the risk of transmission of STDs (although abstinence is the only way to 100% protect yourself).  Vaccinations that prevent certain STDs such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and HPV should be considered.