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Syphilis testing
in London
A blood test with the result the same day, usually within four to six hours.
The first sign is usually painless, which is the problem
Syphilis often begins as a single sore, and because it does not hurt, people frequently do not go and get it looked at. It heals by itself after a few weeks, which feels like the end of the matter. It is not. The infection is still there.
Rates in the UK have risen sharply over the last decade, and a lot of people testing for it are doing so because a partner has been diagnosed rather than because they noticed anything themselves.
Treated early, syphilis is entirely curable with antibiotics. Left alone for years it can cause serious damage. That gap between how easy it is to treat now and how serious it becomes later is the whole reason to test rather than wait and see.
We test from 28 days after the exposure you are concerned about. Depending on the timing and the circumstances, the GP may advise repeating the test later to be certain, and you will be told clearly if that applies to you.
What happens
A blood sample and a result the same day
£71 for the test, in addition to the £89 consultation.
The appointment
At our Nine Elms clinic.
The result
Usually four to six hours later.
Symptoms
What to look for, and why it is easy to miss
A painless sore
Usually single, on the genitals, anus or mouth. It does not hurt and it heals on its own, which is why it gets ignored.
A rash weeks later
Often on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, which is unusual enough to be a clue.
Flu-like illness
Fever, sore throat, aching, swollen glands, a few weeks after the sore has gone.
Patchy hair loss
Uncommon, but a recognised sign at the second stage.
A partner has been diagnosed
The commonest reason people book. Come in even with nothing to report.
Nothing at all
Syphilis can sit silently for years. A blood test is the only way to know.
If you have a sore or an unexplained rash now, do not wait for the window period to pass. Come in and be examined.
Questions
Things people ask us
The sore went away on its own. Am I fine?
No, and this is the single most important thing on this page. The sore healing is a normal part of the infection rather than a sign it has cleared. Syphilis moves into a later stage instead of disappearing, and it can then sit silently for years while causing damage. Please get tested even though there is now nothing to see.
Is syphilis curable?
Yes, completely, particularly in the early stages. It is treated with antibiotics. The serious complications associated with syphilis come from infection left untreated for many years, which is precisely why an early test and early treatment matter so much.
Do I need to tell my partners?
Yes. Syphilis is highly transmissible in its early stages, and partners need testing whether or not they have noticed anything at all. We will help you work out who and over what period, and anonymous notification is available if you would prefer.
What if I am pregnant?
Syphilis in pregnancy is serious and is screened for as part of routine NHS antenatal care. If you are pregnant, or think you might be, tell us at the appointment so we can advise properly and make sure the right people are involved rather than testing you in isolation.
Related
Often tested at the same time
Curable, and easiest to treat early
A blood test today, and the result today.