Syphilis Testing & Screening

What Is Syphilis?

Syphilis is one of the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). Syphilis is caused by a bacterial infection from bacteria known as Treponema pallidum.

Syphilis Causes

How does syphilis spread? Syphilis spreads through vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. It can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eyes, and throat. ​ Even if you have been treated for syphilis before, you may still contract it subsequently.

Syphilis Symptoms

Syphilis has been known to be a mimicker of many diseases. It has several stages. The first stage of syphilis usually involves a painless ulcer at the genital region. The second stage usually a few weeks after the first, is a diffuse rash involving the mouth as well as the palms and soles of the feet. Finally, there is late phase of syphilis where there are no symptoms. In the mean while syphilis results in small and large blood vessel destruction. This causes irreversible syphilitic brain damage, irreversible numbness from nerve damage. One of the work up for dementia involves ruling out syphilis as well. If the brain damage is caused by syphilis, to can be slowed down with treatment. However, brain damage caused by syphilis cannot be reversed. While there are no symptoms, the destruction from syphilis is ongoing and often irreversible.

Syphilis Side Effects

What happens if I don’t get treated for syphilis? Unlike the other STD’s, syphilis is often insidious, silent and irreversibly destructive. It causes irreversible brain injury called neuro-syphilis. It also causes nerve damage. People find themselves not making rational decisions. An example of how significant this may be is that newly diagnosed dementias as well as mental health patients would often undergo a syphilis screen to ensure that they do not have syphilis. Because of the blood vessel injury, it causes large blood vessels to be damaged. This is called syphilis aortitis and or aortic aneurysm. When the aorta is sufficiently enlarged, this interferes with the heart function and inevitably can lead to heart failure. Rarely, when the aorta is damaged enough, it would simply rupture. This results in bleeding and death.

Syphilis Screening & Testing

Blood tests are used for syphilis screening and testing.

Syphilis Treatment & Cures

Syphilis can be effectively treated through a course of antibiotics.

STD Screening Packages

• HIV, Syphilis Screening Package – $25
• Herpes Screening Package – $60
• Gonorrhea, Chlamydia Screening Package – $120

*Normal consultation charges ($30-$35) apply
*Prices are for indicated services only, additional tests and medication are chargeable separately