Syphilis (IgG and IgM Antibodies) Blood Test

£59.00

Check for IgG and IgM syphilis antibodies to detect an active or previous syphilis infection with our at-home, finger-prick blood test.

Results estimated in 3 working days

View 1 Biomarkers

How do you want to take your sample?

Please choose one option below
  • Collect your own finger-prick blood sample at home   Free

    We’ll send you everything you need to collect your blood sample from your finger at home.
  • Book a venous draw at a clinic   +£35.00

  • Book a venous draw at home with a nurse +£59.00

  • Self-arrange a professional sample collection Free

Syphilis (IgG and IgM Antibodies) Blood Test

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Is it for you?

Have no symptoms but want to check for a syphilis infection? The presence of IgM and IgG antibodies in your blood can help identify whether you likely have a current infection, or whether you’ve previously been infected.

If you have symptoms of syphilis, it’s important you attend your local sexual health clinic for assessment.

Biomarker table

Immunity

Syphilis antibodies

Learn more

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, spread through sexual contact. Which is important to test for and treat as the infection can cause a range of health problems if left untreated. Antibodies are produced by the immune system when there is an infection in the body. Checking for syphilis specific antibodies in the body helps to identify an infection.
Special instructions

How to prepare for your test

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.

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FAQs

What can I learn from this test?

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.

What is syphilis?

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.

How accurate is the Syphilis (IgG and IgM Antibodies) Blood Test?

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.

How can I prevent syphilis?

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).

Is syphilis curable?

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.

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