Syphilis Home Test Kit
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It's one of the four most common STIs, alongside chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Before we explore your syphilis home test options, here are key facts about syphilis:
- Syphilis is also called 'lues' or 'hard chancre'
- A syphilis infection increases your risk of contracting HIV
- Germany reports approximately 8,800 new cases annually (source: RKI)
How Syphilis Spreads
Syphilis bacteria enter the body through mucous membranes or the bloodstream. Here's how transmission occurs:
Contagion
Unprotected vaginal and anal sex:
Syphilis bacteria live in mucous membranes and syphilis ulcers, transferring from one person's mucous membranes to another's during sexual contact.
Unprotected oral sex:
Condoms are often not used during oral sex, making transmission easier.
Intravenous drug use:
Sharing contaminated needles increases syphilis infection risk.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the bacteria can transmit to the unborn child, potentially causing fetal death or severe physical and mental disabilities. This is why routine syphilis testing is part of prenatal care.
Syphilis symptoms
How do I know if I have syphilis? Syphilis symptoms are often subtle or nonspecific, making them easy to miss or mistake for other conditions.
Syphilis typically progresses through 3 distinct stages. Importantly, the periods between stages are often completely symptom-free.
Stage 1
approx. 3-6 weeks after infection
Skin ulcers: The classic syphilis symptom is a painless ulcer appearing about 3 weeks after exposure. It develops at the infection site - vagina, anus, rectum, mouth, or penis - with a characteristic hard edge, earning the name 'hard chancre'.
Some time after the ulcer appears, the surrounding lymph nodes swell.
Stage 2
approx. 4-10 weeks after infection
The bacteria (Treponema pallidum) spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream. Stage 2 symptoms may include:
- Skin rash on the trunk and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
- Fever, tiredness, feeling ill
- Hair loss
- Wart-like skin changes on the genitals and anus
The symptoms may subside and then return later.
Stage 3
After more than a year, this becomes 'late syphilis,' requiring longer antibiotic treatment than early-stage syphilis. Late syphilis can cause serious organ damage affecting nerves, brain, and blood vessels.
Stage 3 rarely occurs nowadays - syphilis is usually diagnosed and treated earlier!
Who Should Get Tested for Syphilis?
- People with active, diverse sex lives
- Sex workers and their clients
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) face higher infection risk
When should I take a syphilis test?
For reliable syphilis detection, wait approximately 10 weeks after potential exposure (diagnostic window). The bacteria cannot be detected immediately after infection.
Syphilis Testing Options and Costs
Medical practice
If symptoms are present, the costs are usually covered by health insurance.
Rapid test at home
You can buy this at the pharmacy. Unfortunately, this type of test is not as reliable in its results. Make sure you read the instructions beforehand.
Health authorities and AIDS service organizations
Whether the tests are free of charge or have to be paid for varies from region to region. It is best to find out about the offer and the possible costs on the respective website.
s.a.m health test
Test at home and send samples to our certified laboratory. Before your first kit, receive phone guidance from medically trained staff. Your samples undergo analysis using the latest laboratory standards. If results are positive, we provide support and guidance on next steps.
Test procedure for reliable syphilis tests
TPHA-/ TPPA-Test
Your body produces antibodies after syphilis infection. TPHA and TPPA tests can detect these antibodies for life. If these tests are negative and your last potential exposure was at least ten weeks ago, you don't have syphilis.
Syphilis confirmation test
A reactive screening test (TPPA or RPR) does not necessarily mean a reliable syphilis diagnosis. It is therefore important to have a confirmatory test carried out at a doctor's practice or health authority after a positive screening test (also in the case of s.a.m. health). Incidentally, the syphilis blood test is called the LSR test in the mother's passport and is part of the standard examination.
RPR-Test
For people with a previous diagnosis of syphilis, there is another test that only reacts if the infection is active. The RPR test detects antibodies that occur in the case of an active syphilis infection that requires treatment.
How is syphilis treated?
Syphilis is effectively treated with antibiotics, typically administered through muscle injection. We know sex is enjoyable, but you should avoid sexual activity until treatment is complete to prevent transmission.
Straightforward process without intrusive questions about why I needed the test. Easy to use with reliable results delivered quickly. Thank you for providing this service!Survey Monkey