How do you get tested for syphilis?

Answer 1

A blood sample will be taken from your arm and it will be sent to a laboratory where they will test it, then the results will be sent to your physician (or the relevant health care practitioner) and they will inform you of the results.

More detail (in case the above didn't answer your question):

You will need to go to your doctor, or to hospital, urgent care center, STD clinic, Planned Parenthood or similar health care facility, because a physician or other health care provider has to order the test (especially if you have health insurance that will cover some or part of the cost). Tell them you want to be tested for syphilis and ask them if they will order the test for you.

Next a small amount of your blood will be drawn using a special kind of needle, usually by either a nurse or a phlebotomist. Or if they don't take blood samples there (e.g. at your doctor's office) or you want to have it done elsewhere, you will take a piece of paper with the test order on it (or it will be faxed/sent directly) to the place where you'll get your blood drawn. This may be at a hospital, a free clinic, a blood draw station, etc. If you don't know where to go, your doctor or the medical professional you saw can tell you the possible locations in your area.

Your blood is then tested using specialized equipment & procedures and by a trained technician or professional at a laboratory/testing facility where they perform such medical tests. The most common test for syphilis is called the "RPR" test, which stands for Rapid Plasma Reagin and it's used as a screening test. It tests for antibodies in the blood that exist in someone with a syphilis infection. However, a different test may be ordered for you, because which test is used depends on many factors, including how advanced (what stage) your syphilis infection is (for those that have it), whether you've ever had syphilis in the past, or if you have a medical condition that might interfere with the results of one kind of test.

If an RPR or another kind of "screening test" comes back positive, the test will almost always be done a 2nd time to make sure it's not a false positive. Sometimes the same test will be repeated, but usually a different kind of test will be used that is designed or used specifically for the purpose of confirming an initial positive result of a screening or preliminary test (this is known as a "confirmation" test). Don't worry - in most cases you won't have to get your blood taken a 2nd time for a confirmation test, because they take "extra" blood initially (they take more than enough to repeat the test or do a confirmation test from everyone in case they need it). The laboratory will provide whoever ordered the test with the results and then you will be contacted by your doctor (or whoever ordered the test).

Answer 2

You can get tested for syphilis through a blood test that checks for antibodies to the bacteria that causes syphilis. Some testing methods may involve taking a sample from a sore if present. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.