Syphilis Test Online

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as direct contact with a syphilis sore. After decades of low rates, syphilis notifications in Australia have risen dramatically and are now at their highest levels since the 1950s. According to the Australian STI Management Guidelines, this rise has prompted a major change in testing recommendations: syphilis testing should now be included whenever any STI testing is performed, regardless of individual risk factors.

Syphilis progresses through distinct stages if left untreated. Primary syphilis causes a painless sore called a chancre at the site of infection — genital, anal, or oral — which heals on its own within a few weeks. Secondary syphilis may cause a widespread rash, fever, fatigue, and hair loss. Latent syphilis has no visible symptoms but the infection remains in the body. Tertiary syphilis, now rare with modern treatment, can cause serious damage to the brain, heart, and other organs. The painless nature of the initial sore means many people do not realise they have been infected.

Syphilis is detected through a blood test that looks for antibodies produced in response to the infection. The standard screening test is an enzyme immunoassay, which is highly sensitive. If the screening test is positive, a confirmatory test is performed to determine whether the infection is current or past. Syphilis blood tests can reliably detect infection from approximately four weeks after exposure, though earlier detection may be possible with some newer assays.

If you have an active sore that could be a chancre, a swab of the lesion can also be tested for syphilis using PCR. This can provide faster confirmation than serology alone. The Australian guidelines emphasise that any anogenital or oral ulcer should be investigated for syphilis, particularly in outbreak areas where rates are elevated and delayed diagnosis increases onward transmission in the community.

The good news is that syphilis is highly treatable when detected early. Standard treatment for early syphilis is a single intramuscular injection of an antibiotic injection, which is highly effective. Late latent syphilis requires three weekly injections. After treatment, follow-up blood tests at three, six, and twelve months confirm that the infection has responded. All sexual partners from the relevant period should be notified and tested. Syphilis in pregnancy can cause congenital syphilis, making antenatal screening critically important.

Regular sexual health screening is recommended for anyone who is sexually active, even when no symptoms are present. Most sexually transmitted infections produce no noticeable symptoms in the early stages, which means they can be unknowingly passed to sexual partners. Australian guidelines recommend at least annual screening for sexually active adults, and more frequent testing for those with new or multiple partners. If you have had unprotected sex with a new partner, testing is recommended even if you feel well.

If your test results are positive, your Specialist GP will contact you directly to discuss treatment options and arrange treatment. Most bacterial STIs respond well to a short course of antibiotics and are straightforward to manage when detected early. Partner notification is an important part of treatment — all recent sexual partners should be informed and tested, even if they have no symptoms. Your GP can advise on how to approach this conversation, including anonymous notification options if preferred.