How to test for syphilis in females

The test involves taking a blood sample. The blood is examined in a laboratory to see if it contains any antibodies to the syphilis-causing bacteria.

If antibodies are found (a "positive" result), these findings have to be confirmed using a different type of test. If they are confirmed, the same blood sample is tested a third time to see if the infection needs to be treated or has already cleared up on its own.

So the syphilis test does not detect the syphilis bacteria themselves, but shows whether and how the body has reacted to the bacteria.

Syphilis symptoms in females

The problem here is that it usually takes some time for the body to make antibodies after infection, so the test will come back negative if it's done too soon after infection. That means that if you had sex with a (potentially) infected person a few days earlier, it's a good idea to wait a while before having the test, or have a second one done at a later time.

More specifically, it's best to wait at least three weeks before doing a test.

If you already have symptoms, syp

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when can you test for syphilis