Private Syphilis test

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema Pallidum. It is usually spread through unprotected sex.

Syphilis is curable, but the early symptoms can be mild, so some people are unaware that they have the infection. Harley Street Sexual Health provides screening for Syphilis to identify and treat the disease, prevent spread and reduce the risk of long-term problems.

The symptoms of Syphilis are similar for men and women. But they can be mild, missed or mistaken for other conditions. Unless it is effectively treated, Syphilis will stay in the body and cause serious, long-term complications.

Syphilis develops in stages. The first stage comes on ten days to three months after infection. Look out for:

• Small, painless ulcers called ‘chancres’ on the penis, vulva, mouth or skin around the anus. Swollen glands in the armpit, neck or groin.
• If Syphilis isn't treated, within three weeks, it will develop in the secondary stage. Look out for:
• Red, blotchy rash on the skin, especially on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
• Fleshy wart-like growths on the vulva and around the anus.
• Patchy hair loss.
• Flu-like illness including fever, headache and feeling unwell.
  White patches in the mouth.

If Syphilis remains untreated for years, it can affect the brain, heart and nervous system. It can cause severe problems, including blindness, heart problems, stroke, dementia, and coordination problems.

The bacteria that causes Syphilis is usually passed during unprotected sexual contact. The main ways in which the bacteria spreads are:

• Vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom.
• Skin contact with an ulcer or rash with someone who has Syphilis.
• A pregnant mother can spread the infection to her baby during pregnancy.

Someone with untreated Syphilis is infectious during the first two stages of the disease, up to two years.

If you are worried that you have Syphilis or if a partner has the infection, it's important to get a test. Syphilis will not go away without treatment.

If you are sexually active, especially if you have unprotected sex, there is a chance of catching STIs like Syphilis. Regular check-ups are a good idea to maintain your sexual health. It’s important to have a Syphilis test if:

• You or your partner notice symptoms of Syphilis.
• You or your partner have had unprotected sexual intercourse.
• You are in a new relationship and want to stop using condoms.
• You or your partner have had other STIs.
• You or your partner have multiple sexual partners.

Harley Street Sexual Health offers Syphilis testing by a blood test or a swab. The specialists can also perform an examination to look for ulcers, growths or rashes that are characteristic of the infection.

• Blood test: The doctor will take a sample that looks for antibodies that show whether you have Syphilis or have previously been infected.
• Swab test: If you have an ulcer, the doctor can take a swab test from the chance and send it to the laboratory for analysis.

Sometimes, an early test can come back negative. In which case, the consultant may recommend repeating the test in a few weeks for a more accurate result.

Harley Street Sexual Health’s experienced consultants will email you the results as soon as they are received and reviewed. This takes around five days.

If your result shows Syphilis infection, a consultant will contact you to discuss treatment and arrange follow-up.

Syphilis is curable. It is treated with a course of antibiotics. Your consultant will prescribe medication on a private prescription that can be obtained from the Harley Street Sexual Health pharmacy, or any other pharmacy of your choice.

You should avoid sex for at least one week after you and your partner have completed treatment. You should not have vaginal, anal and oral sex, even with a condom, to prevent reinfection.

The sexual health specialists do not usually recommend a retest following treatment for simple genital Syphilis. However, if you are pregnant or experience ongoing symptoms, they will arrange for a follow-up to check that the infection has cleared.

You can get Syphilis again if you have unprotected sex, or sexual contact, with an infected individual. Hence, it's essential to ensure that your partners are tested and treated before restarting a sexual relationship.

You can protect against infection by using a condom during any oral, anal or vaginal sex. Cleaning any shared sex toys or using a condom can also help.

Having regular sexual health screening, especially when you change partners, or before any unprotected sex can help prevent the spread of Syphilis and other STIs.