Primary Care | Preventive Care

Syphilis Screening



Blood samples for syphilis screening and testing


What is Syphilis?

Syphilis (“SIF-uh-lis”) is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, that you can get during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If you are pregnant and have syphilis, you can pass it your baby.

Get tested for syphilis if you:

  • Pregnant
  • Are a man who has sex with men
  • HIV-positive (have HIV)

If you have had sex with someone who tested positive for syphilis, ask your doctor if you need to get tested.

Some people who get syphilis have symptoms soon after they get it. But many people who have syphilis don’t notice any signs or symptoms at all. The only way to know if you have syphilis is to get tested.

If it’s not treated, syphilis can lead to serious health problems and even death. Medicine can cure syphilis, but it can’t undo any damage that syphilis has already caused. That’s why it’s important to get tested regularly if you are at risk.


What if I’ve had syphilis before?

Being treated for syphilis once does not protect you from getting it again. It’s possible to get syphilis again after you’ve been cured – so ask your doctor if you need to be tested.

What about cost?

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010, health insurance plans must cover syphilis testing for adults at higher risk and also all pregnant women. You may be able to get tested at no cost to you. Talk to your insurance company to find out more.

For more information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit Healthcare.gov.

What do I ask the doctor?

Visiting the doctor can be stressful. It helps to have questions for the doctor or nurse written down ahead of time. Print this list of questions and take it to your appointment.

  • What puts me at risk for syphilis?
  • Do I need to get tested for syphilis?
  • How often do you recommend I get tested for syphilis?
  • Where and how is the test done?
  • When and how will I find out my test results?
  • When will I get my test results?
  • If I have syphilis, what will happen next?
  • Can you give me some information about syphilis to take home with me?

emed_logo_short_nobg

We have decades of combined experience in primary care! Whether you have a cold or just need a checkup, we’re here for you!

Convenient communication, text:
Primary Care: (904) 513-3240
Pain Management: (904) 206-7132

©2024 Emed Multispecialty Group. All rights reserved.