About syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection passed on during sex and by skin contact with someone who has a sores or rash caused by syphilis. It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy. Many years of untreated syphilis may cause serious damage to the heart, brain, bones, eyes and nervous system (and can be life threatening).
Testing
A blood sample is taken for testing.
Treatment
If your syphilis screen suggests an infection, you will be referred to your closest NHS GUM service for further testing and treatment. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics.
Confidentiality
We have strict rules to ensure that the information collected about you is kept safe and secure.
You can choose to get your results ideally by text, or email for convenience, or we can call you. We will ask if it is OK for us:
- To leave a message (when we contact you to give you your results)
- To contact the NHS about your results (if we cannot contact you in person)
A password and unique reference number will be agreed at your consultation. This is to check your identity, and confirm that it is safe to discuss your test results over the phone.
If we cannot confirm your identity over the telephone (for example, if you have forgotten your password/reference number), you will be asked to return to the BPAS unit where your tests were done to discuss your results.