What is the test ?
Syphilis is an infection that is transmitted from one adult to another through sexual contact or from the mother to her baby during pregnancy.
Why do the test ?
Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, but can remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated. These may include damage to the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints.
Signs and symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.
In pregnant women, The syphilis bacterium can infect the baby . Depending on how long a pregnant woman has been infected, she may have a high risk of having a stillbirth (a baby born dead) or of giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth. An infected baby may be born without signs or symptoms of disease. However, if not treated immediately, the baby may develop serious problems within a few weeks. Untreated babies may become developmentally delayed, have seizures, or die.
Who should do the test ?
Screening is recommended for those who practise unsafe sex, for example
● Those who exchange sex for money or drugs
● Those who have other STIs (including HIV) and ulcers on the genitals
● Those whose partners have syphilis.
Screening should be done 1 month after possible contact, and again after 3 months.
Pregnant women should be screened at their 1st antenatal visit.
How is the test done ?
Screening is done using blood tests.
