For peace of mind over your health

Syphilis is one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and also one of the most dangerous. Our pharmacies now offer a fast, accurate and simple syphilis testing service in partnership with Better2Know. The test only takes 10 minutes to complete, and requires just a finger-prick blood test.

Key Syphilis and Testing Information:

Type of STI: Syphilis is a bacterial infection
Transmission: Syphilis is transmitted via direct contact with a sore during unprotected oral sex, vaginal or anal intercourse, or from mother to child during birth
Syphilis Treatment: A course of antibiotics is required to clear the infection
Consequences of Not Obtaining Treatment: Increased symptoms, including damage to the brain, eyes, nerves and internal organs which may be life-threatening
Test Sample: Blood obtained via a finger stick
Syphilis Incubation Period: 9 days
Time To Obtain Results: 10 minutes

When can I get tested?

As syphilis has an incubation period, it is recommended to get tested 9 days after your potential exposure. It is possible to test before this amount of time has passed, but it is important to be aware that your results are unlikely to be as accurate.

When will I get my results?

Our Rapid Syphilis Testing Service will provide you with your confidential results just 10 minutes after providing your sample of blood. You will receive a signed Rapid Test Results Report, which will clearly state your results. If your test is determined to be reactive, we will take another sample of blood from you which will be sent directly to our laboratory for additional testing. Any additional testing you may require is provided at no additional cost to you.

Rapid Syphilis test accuracy information

We have partnered with Better2Know to offer this service, which is a highly sensitive test with a 99% accuracy rating when testing after the 9 day incubation period. If you are concerned that you may have contracted syphilis, we recommend arranging your private and confidential appointment as soon as possible.

The Rapid Syphilis Testing Service Process:

Better2Know tests are 100% confidential and your details will not be shared with anyone else, unless you During your appointment, a qualified member of our team will take a small blood sample from you via a finger prick, as the test only requires a drop of blood in order to provide an accurate result. Once your sample has been collected, a member of our team will test it. To do this, your blood will be placed into a test cassette with a buffer solution.

Negative syphilis tests will display a single line, whereas a reactive test will display two lines.

What happens if my test is reactive?

If your test displays two lines and is reactive, we will ask you to provide a larger sample of blood which will be sent to our laboratory for confirmation. Better2Know can also provide you with referrals to specialists with the knowledge to offer extra guidance and support regarding the treatment you may need.

If you are at all concerned about syphilis, it is important to get tested. The testing process can offer peace of mind and ensure that you get the correct treatment before any further health issues develop from untreated infections.

Can I get tested for other STIs?

Better2Know offers a range of tests to screen for a number of sexually transmitted infections. In addition to instant syphilis testing, you can also receive immediate anonymous testing for herpes 1 and 2, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

How to Book Your Rapid Syphilis Test

Speak to a member of our pharmacy team to arrange a confidential appointment at a time that suits you. It may also be possible to use our secure online payment system to arrange and pay for your test.

Additional Information about Syphilis

Methods Of Transmission

The most common way of contracting syphilis is via direct contact with a lesion, sore or ulcer. This usually occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. As syphilis is a highly infectious STI, even very brief contact with the infection can be enough to pass it on.

Symptoms Of Syphilis

Syphilis is a very common STI with around 6 million new cases diagnosed each year. In 2015, 45 million people across the world were diagnosed. If you are infected, you will typically progress through four very distinct stages of symptoms if your infection is not treated.

During the primary stage of a syphilis infection, you may notice visible sores developing on your genitals, anus, hands or mouth. These sores can be fairly large, however often they aren’t always noticeable at first glance. They also are often painless, which is why they are often confused as blemishes or ulcers.

During the secondary stage of a syphilis infection, you may start to experience a fever, muscle aches, a sore throat, rashes, swollen glands, and headaches. During the latent stage of infection, your symptoms may dissipate, however you will remain infected and could pass syphilis on to other people.

The tertiary stage of infection is the most serious and if you remain untreated you could experience damage to your brain, eyes, nerves and internal organs. Some of these complications may not make an appearance for many years, but they can cause things like seizures, shooting pains, and permanent joint damage.

What Does Syphilis Treatment Entail?

Syphilis infections will not clear on their own, but the good news is that this STI is easily treatable with a course of antibiotics. If you have been infected recently, an antibiotic injection will likely be offered. If your infection has progressed to the latent or tertiary stages, a longer course of treatment may be required in order to completely clear the infection.

What Happens If I Don’t Treat Syphilis?

Long-term syphilis infections can cause an array of complications that could jeopardise your health. Syphilis can spread to various areas of the body, including your brain and heart.

It is not advised to put off receiving treatment for syphilis because although infections that have progressed to the tertiary stage can still be cured with antibiotics, they may cause damage to the body that is irreversible. So, if you think you may have been exposed to syphilis, it is important to get tested and obtain any required treatments as soon as possible.

How To Prevent Syphilis

There are a number of steps you can do to prevent syphilis, including:

– Always using protection when having intercourse with a new partner
– Using a condom or dam during oral sex
– Consistently making positive decisions when it comes to safe sex
– Getting tested for STIs if you experience any changes or concerns
– Encouraging your sexual partners to get tested
– Notifying recent sexual partners if you receive a positive syphilis test
– Completing your complete course of treatment if you are diagnosed with syphilis

Availability

Pop into your local branch or visit your preferred pharmacy’s page to enquire about our Rapid Syphilis Testing Service in partnership with Better2Know.