Quick and Easy At Home Syphilis Test

What is syphilis and how common is it?

Syphilis, also known as lues, is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Syphilis occurs mainly in men who have sex with men. It causes a characteristic symptom in the first stage, which is an ulcer (ulcer) on the penis, in the vagina or anus or in the mouth. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious health problems after many years. There has been a slight increase in the incidence of syphilis in recent years. In 2021, syphilis was diagnosed more than 1,300 times through a sexual health centre.

How do you get infected with syphilis?

Syphilis can be transmitted through genital, anal or oral sexual contact. This means that the mucous membranes of the vagina or penis (genital), anus (anal) or mouth (oral) of an uninfected person, come into direct contact with the sores present in an infected person. People with HIV are more likely to be infected for syphilis and vice versa.

Who is at risk of infection?

Men who have sex with men are the largest risk group in the Netherlands. Over 96% of syphilis infections occur in this category. Note that even with protected sex (with condom), there is a risk of infection through direct skin-to-skin contact. People infected with HIV and pregnant women are at risk of a more severe course of syphilis.

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

Syphilis is classified into different stages: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary syphilis. Each stage (except the latent stage) is characterised by different symptoms. For example, the first stage involves a painless red ulcer in or on the genitals, in or around the anus or in the mouth. This ulcer disappears again after a few weeks. If left untreated at the primary stage, syphilis can progress to secondary syphilis. Secondary syphilis occurs about 4 to 8 weeks after the initial infection. At this stage, the bacteria have spread throughout the body and can cause problems in various organs. This manifests itself in a wide range of symptoms. Most common are flu-like symptoms, a typical rash on the trunk, palms and soles of the feet, bumps around the genitals and bald patches on the scalp. If left untreated, the disease enters the latent phase. This phase has no symptoms; the disease has ‘settled down’ for a period of time. After the latent phase, the disease may pass into the tertiary phase. The onset of this phase can take years. In the tertiary phase, patients often become seriously ill due to inflammation that can be in a variety of organs, including the heart and brain. You can find a clear overview of symptoms under the ‘symptoms’ tab.

How and when do you test for syphilis?

Syphilis can be diagnosed in several ways. Both blood tests and a PCR test are suitable for this purpose. Note that a PCR test is suitable the moment there is an ulcer. A PCR test can detect the genetic material of the bacteria Treponema pallidum in the body material that is analysed. This genetic material is found in fluid from the ulcers. Syphilis is not detectable with a test immediately after infection, by the way. This takes some time. The time between the moment of infection and the moment when syphilis is detectable with a test is also called the incubation or window period. For syphilis, the incubation period is between 10 and 90 days. See below for information on when it is best to test.

What are the consequences of syphilis?

If syphilis is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems after many years. The symptoms that then arise can manifest in specific organs such as the heart (cardiovascular syphilis) and the nervous system (neurosyphilis).

How is syphilis treated?

If you have tested positive for syphilis, immediate treatment is important. Syphilis can be treated by the GP if it is in the first stage. The GP may also decide to refer to a dermatologist, for example. Syphilis can be treated with an antibiotic. Usually the antibiotic chosen is benzathine benzylpenicillin, which should be administered into the muscle.

Partner alert in case of syphilis?

In the case of primary syphilis (in the presence of an ulcer), all partners of the past 3 months should be warned, regardless of whether or not a condom was used.

Want more information about syphilis?

Please refer to the following websites:

• Home doctor
• Soa-Aids-Netherlands

What are symptoms consistent with syphilis?

Common syphilis symptoms in women:

• Painless ulcer in or around the vagina, anus or mouth (primary stage)
• Symptoms of being generally ill (secondary stage
• Urburst of rash (secondary stage)
• Expanded lymph nodes (secondary stage)
• Ergent symptoms with involvement of the heart and nervous system (tertiary stage)

Common syphilis symptoms in men:

• Painless sores on or around the penis, anus or mouth (primary stage)
• Symptoms of being generally ill (secondary stage)
• Useful rash (secondary stage)
• Expanded lymph nodes (secondary stage)
• Serious symptoms with involvement of the heart and nervous system (tertiary stage)

Serious symptoms with involvement of the heart and nervous system (tertiary stage)