Private Syphilis Testing

Syphilis Blood Test IgG/IgM £105 – shows current infection and past exposure

Syphilis Instant Test £95 – shows current infection – lab confirmatory test required if positive

Choose a GP Consultation £120 or a Phlebotomy Appointment £35

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a common bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. It is often called "The Great Pretender" because its early symptoms are mild, easily mistaken for other conditions, or may not appear at all. 

How You Catch Syphilis

Syphilis is highly contagious and spreads primarily through direct contact with an infected person's sores (called chancres) or rashes. 

• Sexual Activity: This is the most common route, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
• Skin-to-Skin Contact: Close intimate contact or kissing can spread the bacteria if there is contact with a sore.
• Sharing Sex Toys: Transmission can occur if toys are shared without being washed or covered with a new condom.
• Pregnancy: An infected mother can pass syphilis to her unborn baby through the placenta (congenital syphilis).
• Blood Contact: Though rare, it can spread by sharing needles used for injecting drugs. 

Note: You cannot catch syphilis from casual contact like sharing toilet seats, swimming pools, cutlery, or clothing, as the bacteria do not survive long outside the body. 

The Stages of Syphilis 

The infection progresses through four distinct stages if left untreated: 

Primary: A small, usually painless sore (chancre) appears at the site of infection.

Secondary: A few weeks after the sore heals, a non-itchy rash often appears on the palms and soles, accompanied by flu-like symptoms.

Latent: A "hidden" stage where symptoms disappear, but the bacteria remain in the body.

Tertiary (Late): Occurring years later, this stage can cause life-threatening damage to the heart, brain, and nervous system. 

Syphilis is easily cured with antibiotics (usually penicillin) if caught early. 

Syphilis is also included in our combined STI multiple tests.

If left untreated, Syphilis can cause miscarriages, premature births, stillbirths, or death of newborn babies. Syphilis in a mother will be transmitted to the unborn baby leading to many short- and long-term problems. All mothers who are engaging with their midwives will be offered a blood test for syphilis.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of syphilis can appear from 10-90 days (average 21 days). The first stage is marked by the appearance of the chancre or ulcer. It is often painless and can go unnoticed. This lasts one to five weeks and will heal on its own.

The second stage of syphilis can take many different forms. The most common symptoms is a rash, but patients can also develop lymph nodes, kidney or liver problems, meningitis, or deafness. 

The tertiary stage of syphilis can cause many different types of symptoms (and sometimes none) depending on how the infection progresses.

Times: Incubation, results, and re-test

There is an incubation period of at least nine days for this test, but the patient may be recommended to retest depending on the clinical picture.

The swab test results are available in four days of the sample being received in the laboratory.  This test is only possible when there are suspected symptoms and so an incubation period is not relevant.

Regular retesting is advised if you continue to be at risk. A repeat test is recommended with every partner change.

What to do if the test is positive

Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.  Patients should not have sex until four weeks after the treatment has finished and the symptoms have gone away.

If a patient has had syphilis this will always show in their blood test.

Call us on 0121 704 2669 or book online.