Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is a bacterial infection spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected person. Syphilis develops in stages that can last for weeks, months, or even years. The stages may be separated by long periods of apparent good health.
Syphilis usually starts with a small, painless sore, called a chancre, on the genitals, anus, or mouth. In the next stage, you may have flu-like symptoms and/or a rash. Later stages of syphilis can damage the brain, heart, spinal cord, and other organs. Syphilis tests can help diagnose syphilis in the early stages of infection, when the disease is easiest to treat.
Other names: rapid plasma reagin (RPR), venereal disease Research laboratory (VDRL), fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test, agglutination assay (TPPA), darkfield microscopy
To screen for and/or diagnose an infection caused by Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes the sexually transmitted disease (STD) syphilis.
If you are sexually active, you are at risk of being exposed to syphilis if you 1) have another STD or HIV infection, 2) have a sexual partner diagnosed with syphilis, 3) have engaged in high-risk sexual activity, 4) are a man who has sex with men, or 4) are a pregnant woman. Get tested if any symptoms of a syphilis infection are present.
Note: The medical information provided here in this website is for informational purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
