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Syphilis antibodies
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Prepare for your Syphilis Blood Test (IgG and IgM Antibodies) Test by following these instructions. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
This test can indicate syphilis exposure but does not confirm an active infection on its own. Further testing, such as a confirmatory TPPA or RPR test, may be required.
Our syphilis blood test can tell you whether you have IgM or IgG antibodies against the bacterium that causes syphilis.
IgM antibodies are produced in the early stages of infection. They’re usually detectable within a few days following exposure. Around two to four weeks after exposure, the body produces IgG antibodies, which remain detectable for life, even after treatment.
So, depending on your result, this test can help identify whether you’ve had a past infection or a recent/active infection.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Treponema pallidum. The disease often starts as a painless sore (chancre), typically on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. Symptoms usually appear about three weeks after exposure.
After the initial infection, syphilis bacteria can remain dormant in the body for years before becoming active again. Left untreated, syphilis can cause complications, damaging the heart, brain, or other organs.
Provided you take your sample according to the instructions, our syphilis check is shown to be very accurate.
Based on clinical studies carried out by assay manufacturers, the test is likely to detect syphilis infection in 100% of cases where the infection has been present at some point (primary, secondary, and latent syphilis, and syphilis of unknown stage).
Studies show that the test is likely to accurately give a negative result in 99.9% of cases.
Please note that no test is 100% accurate. Though very rare, it’s possible to receive a false-positive or false-negative result.
You can minimise your risk of syphilis by using a condom whenever you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. However, syphilis may still be transmitted with sores that aren’t covered by a condom.
You should also avoid sharing needles and avoid sharing sex toys (or wash and cover them with a condom).
Syphilis is curable, particularly when diagnosed and treated early. The standard treatment for syphilis is antibiotics, typically penicillin, which is highly effective. It’s important to avoid sex until at least two weeks after your treatment has finished to avoid spreading the infection to others. You’ll also need to go back to the sexual health clinic for retesting.
Later stages of syphilis may require more doses of treatment. Antibiotics can stop further illness and cure the infection, but it doesn’t repair any damaged organs.
