Test Overview
Syphilis tests are done to check if a person has a syphilis infection, or if they have had an infection in the past. They look for antibodies to the bacteria that cause syphilis. Some tests look for the syphilis bacteria.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). That means it is spread through sexual contact: vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or sometimes just close physical contact, like foreplay. If you're pregnant and you have syphilis, you can pass the infection to your baby.
These tests are usually blood tests. Depending on your symptoms, you may have more tests done on body fluids or tissue samples.
If a first screening test is positive, the lab will run two more tests to be sure you have a syphilis infection. It can take up to 12 weeks from the time you're exposed to syphilis for blood tests to show the infection.
Syphilis tests done in Alberta
- Serological test for syphilis enzyme immunoassay (STS-EIA). This is the first screening blood test. It tests for syphilis antibodies. If it is positive, this could mean that you've had syphilis in the past, or that you have it now. It could also be a false positive. The sample will be sent for two more tests, including one to confirm the positive result. If you've tested positive for syphilis in the past, this test will likely be positive for life.
- Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA). This test checks for syphilis antibodies. It is used after another method tests positive for syphilis. If you've tested positive for syphilis in the past, this test will likely be positive for life.
- Rapid plasma regain (RPR). You'll have this blood test if the first blood test (STS-EIA) test is positive. This test is used to find out how far along the infection is (stage of infection), to see how you're responding to treatment, and to find out if you've been infected again.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This can detect syphilis DNA from a swab of a sore (skin lesion) if you've been recently infected.
- Venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test. This test may be done after a positive syphilis blood test, if your doctor thinks the infection may have spread to the nervous system (neurosyphilis). The VDRL test checks blood or spinal fluid for an antibody that can be produced in people who have syphilis. This antibody is not produced as a reaction to syphilis specifically, so the test result could be abnormal for reasons other than syphilis.
- Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test. This test may be done after a positive syphilis blood test, if your doctor thinks the infection may have spread to the nervous system ( neurosyphilis). It also checks for antibodies. This test only works starting at around 4 weeks after you've been exposed to syphilis. It can be done on a sample of blood or spinal fluid.
Why It Is Done
A syphilis infection can spread through your bloodstream to all parts of your body. Without treatment, syphilis can cause severe heart disease, brain damage, spinal cord damage, blindness, and death. If you're pregnant, your baby could develop congenital syphilis, and other health problems. There is also a risk of your baby dying before they are born (stillbirth).
Screening for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections is often done for people who engage in sexual behaviours that put them at risk. A test for syphilis is done to:
- Screen for syphilis. Screening tests help your doctor look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear. This increases the chance of finding the infection when it can be cured or treated to avoid long-term problems.
- Screen for syphilis during pregnancy. Syphilis during pregnancy can cause very serious problems.
- Confirm that a person has syphilis.
- Check how well treatment is working.
If you have syphilis, your sex partner or partners should be told, tested, and treated to prevent serious problems and to stop the spread of the infection.
How To Prepare
If you think you might have syphilis, do not have sex until testing shows that you are not infected. Tell your healthcare provider if you are, or may be, pregnant.
If you have syphilis and are being re-tested, do not have sex until the test results show that you are no longer infected or until you and your sex partner or partners have completed treatment and the infection has been cured. Your sex partners should be tested and treated as well.
How It Is Done
A syphilis test may be done on a sample of blood, sore, skin, or spinal fluid, depending on which type of test is done.
Blood test from a vein
A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.
Sore or skin sample
A sample of fluid or tissue may be taken from an open sore or from a rash that might be caused by syphilis.
Spinal fluid sample
A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) is done to collect a spinal fluid sample to test for syphilis when the infection may have spread to the nervous system (neurosyphilis).
For a lumbar puncture, a thin needle is inserted into the spinal canal in the lower back. After the needle is in place, a small amount of fluid is removed from the spinal canal.
How It Feels
Blood sample
The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch. When blood is taken from a vein, an elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm and may feel tight.
Sore or skin sample
You may feel some discomfort when fluid is collected from an open sore. But syphilis sores usually aren't very painful.
Spinal fluid sample
You may feel some discomfort during a lumbar puncture to collect spinal fluid.
Risks
Blood sample
There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. When a blood sample is taken, a small bruise may form at the site.
Sore or skin sample
There is very little risk of problems from having a sample taken from an open sore, skin rash, or mucous membrane.
Spinal fluid sample
There is little risk linked with having a lumbar puncture to obtain a spinal fluid sample. Some people develop a headache after having a lumbar puncture. It usually goes away within a week.
Results
Results are usually available in 7 to 10 days.
Syphilis testsNormal: | Normal results are called negative. |
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No syphilis bacteria or antibodies are found. If no antibodies are found, it is called a non-reactive test. |
Abnormal: | Abnormal results are called positive. |
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Syphilis bacteria or antibodies are found. If antibodies are found, it is called a reactive test. |
A reactive or positive test result does not always mean that you have syphilis. Other conditions can cause positive test results. These include injecting drugs, recent vaccinations, endocarditis, and autoimmune diseases.
If you've tested positive for syphilis in the past, two of the tests that look for antibodies will likely be positive for life (EIA and TPPA). The RPR test is used to tell if you've been cured. It's also used to tell if you have been infected again and need to be treated again.
The accuracy of testing often depends on the stage of syphilis. Testing may need to be repeated if:
- Results of the first test are uncertain.
- You have had repeated exposure to syphilis, such as from repeated unprotected intercourse.
A test for syphilis is based on your risk of infection. You can, and should, still be tested even if:
- You have a blood transfusion in the weeks before having the test.
- You have another condition or disease, such as lupus, liver disease, HIV infection, or a tropical bacterial infection called yaws.
- It's common to have HIV and syphilis infections at the same time. If you have HIV, you should still get tested for syphilis if you are at risk. Talk about it with your healthcare provider.
- A history of yaws or pinta infection (long-term infections of the skin, bone, and cartilage, a lot like the syphilis germ) does affect the test. It is difficult for the tests to determine the difference between these infections, so you would be offered syphilis treatment if your test is positive.
Credits
Adaptation Date: 12/13/2023
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
