Syphilis test
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It is one of the four most important sexually transmitted infections (alongside chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV). No need to worry! Syphilis can be both treated and prevented through regular testing. Before we get to your syphilis home test, here are a few facts about syphilis:
- Did you know that syphilis is the oldest sexually transmitted disease in the world?
- Syphilis is also called “lues” or “hard chancre”
- A syphilis infection also increases the risk of contracting HIV
- There are currently around 8800 new cases per year in Germany (source: RKI)
Infection and symptoms of syphilis
Infection with syphilis occurs via the mucous membranes or the bloodstream. How can the bacteria enter the body?
Contagion
Unprotected vaginal and anal sex
The syphilis pathogens are located in the mucous membrane or in the syphilis ulcer and are “rubbed” from one mucous membrane into the other during sex.
Unprotected oral sex
Condoms are often not used here, which facilitates transmission.
Drug use
The use of contaminated syringes increases the risk of syphilis infection.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the bacterium can be transmitted to the child in the womb and leads either to the death of the fetus or to severe physical and mental malformations in the child. This is why syphilis is routinely tested for during prenatal care.
Syphilis symptoms
How can I tell if I have been infected with syphilis? The symptoms of syphilis are often inconspicuous or unspecific, so that they are not noticed by those affected.
In general, however, syphilis infection usually progresses in 3 stages. The special thing is that the transitions between the stages are often completely symptom-free.
Stage 1
approx. 3-6 weeks after infection
Skin ulcers: The classic syphilis symptom is an ulcer that appears about 3 weeks after sex at the site of entry of the pathogen into the mucous membrane on or in the vagina, anus or rectum, oropharynx or penis. It develops a hard edge, hence the name “hard chancre”.
Some time after the ulcer appears, the surrounding lymph nodes swell.
Stage 2
approx. 4-10 weeks after infection
Treponema pallidum then progressively spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream. At this stage, the following symptoms may occur:
- 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 is referred to as “late syphilis”, which requires longer antibiotic treatment than syphilis diagnosed in the first year. In the case of late syphilis, organ damage (nerves, brain, blood vessels) must also be expected.
Stage 3 rarely occurs nowadays - syphilis is usually diagnosed and treated earlier!
Who should take a syphilis test?
- People with an active and diverse sex life
- Sex workers
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk of infection
When should I take a syphilis test?
In order to reliably detect a syphilis infection, you should wait around 10 weeks (diagnostic window). This is because the pathogens cannot be detected immediately after infection.
Where can I get a syphilis test and how much does it cost?
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
With us, you can take your test at home and send your samples to a laboratory. Before your first test kit, you will receive an explanation of how to use it from medically trained staff over the phone. Your samples are analyzed in the laboratory according to the latest standards. If the result is positive, we will be there for you and tell you what to do next.
Test procedure for reliable syphilis tests
TPHA-/ TPPA-Test
Antibodies are formed after a syphilis infection. Tests such as TPHA and TPPA can detect the pathogens in the blood for life. If these tests are negative and the last risk contact was at least ten weeks ago, there is no 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 can syphilis be treated?
And how do you get rid of syphilis? A syphilis infection is treated with antibiotics. The medication is injected directly into the muscle. And sex? Yes, we know sex is nice! But you should refrain from it until the treatment is complete.
Uncomplicated and without intrusive questions about why, I need it. Easy to use and a reliable result after a short time. Thank you so much for offering something like this!Survey Monkey