Can you pass syphilis test negative?

*Note: Nontreponemal testing may have a false-negative result during primary syphilis in the very early stages or tertiary syphilis in the very late stages. Suggest presumptive treatment, and retesting if clinical suspicion is high. See CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines.


Can you test negative for syphilis and still have it?

A negative test result is considered normal. However, the body does not always produce antibodies specifically in response to the syphilis bacteria, so the test is not always accurate. False-negatives may occur in people with early- and late-stage syphilis.

How accurate is the syphilis test?

Treponemal and nontreponemal tests were accurate in asymptomatic individuals (sensitivity >85%, specificity >91%) in 3 studies but required confirmatory testing.


Will syphilis always show up on a test?

People who have suffered from a syphilis infection in the past could also have a false positive result due to syphilis antibodies lingering in the bloodstream. If a reliable testing method returns a negative result 90 days or later after exposure, it is considered a negative diagnosis.

Is it easy to pass on syphilis?

Syphilis spreads from person-to-person by direct contact with a syphilitic sore, known as a chancre. Chancres can occur in, on, or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, and lips or mouth. Syphilis can spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.


Syphilis Testing



Can one partner test positive for syphilis and the other negative?

A: It is quite common for one partner to test positive and the other negative, even if they have been having sex without condoms. Mostly this is explained by luck and the role of other risk factors.

What are the chances of passing syphilis?

Transmission. Syphilis is transmitted by direct contact with an infectious lesion or through vertical transmission during pregnancy. Primary, secondary and early latent stages are considered infectious, with an estimated risk of transmission per partner of 51% to 64% 3.

Can syphilis hide from tests?

This is because the RPR test has the potential for a false-negative result. The same goes for the VDRL test, where false-negative results can be produced if you have had syphilis for less than three months. The following tests are used to confirm syphilis: Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test.


How sensitive is a syphilis test?

Among patients with early latent syphilis (n=41), all seven assays demonstrated high sensitivity, ranging from 95–100%, with no statistically significant differences.

What can be mistaken for syphilis?

The differential diagnosis of nodular syphilis includes systemic mycosis, Kaposi's sarcoma, bacillary angiomatosis, foreign body granuloma type, lymphoma, pseudolymphoma, leprosy, sarcoidosis, and halogenoderma. Secondary syphilis with pustular lesions can also lead to the erroneous diagnosis of pustular acne [8, 9].

What can cause a false negative syphilis test?

Your results may be false-negative if the test is done too soon after you are infected with syphilis. It takes 14 to 21 days after infection with the spirochetes for your body's immune response to be found by the test. Drinking alcohol within 24 hours of the test also can give a false-negative result.


What is the most reliable test for syphilis?

The SpiroTek syphilis test has the highest sensitivity of all treponemal tests (especially in untreated primary syphilis) and is recommended as a confirmatory test by the CDC (1).

How accurate is a syphilis test after 2 weeks?

Blood tests for syphilis are most accurate 12 weeks after infection but may show a positive result sooner.

How accurate is a syphilis test after 4 weeks?

With syphilis, test results are usually accurate after 6 weeks, but it can take as long as 3 months to show up in your blood. You may want to go for a follow up syphilis test 3 months after you had the unprotected oral sex.


Can you pass syphilis after treatment?

If you have been treated for syphilis, you should not have sex for 7 days after your treatment is over. Also, if your sex partners are not treated you can get syphilis again. Do not have sex with any partner who has syphilis until 7 days after he or she finishes treatment.

When will I stop testing positive for syphilis?

Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA).

If you've tested positive for syphilis in the past, this test will likely be positive for life.

Can you have syphilis antibodies and not have syphilis?

If antibodies are found, it is called a reactive test. A reactive or positive test result does not always mean that you have syphilis. Other conditions can cause positive test results. These include injecting illegal drugs, recent vaccinations, endocarditis, and autoimmune diseases.


Is syphilis contagious all the time?

Syphilis is considered to be communicable for a period of up to two years, possibly longer. The extent of communicability depends on the existence of infectious lesions (sores), which may or may not be visible.

Can you pass syphilis by kissing without a sore?

Syphilis: This is a bacterial infection that can be spread by having sex. It isn't usually spread by kissing — unless you and your partner both have syphilis sores present in your mouth when you kiss.

What stage of syphilis is not contagious?

Tertiary (Late)

Syphilis isn't contagious at this point, but the infection has started to affect your organs. This can lead to death. Symptoms of tertiary syphilis may include: Problems controlling muscle movements.


Can you get syphilis if both partners are clean?

If 2 people who don't have any STDs have sex, it's not possible for either of them to get one. A couple can't create an STD from nothing — they have to get spread from one person to another.

Is false positive syphilis common?

We found a false positivity rate in total treponemal testing of 0.26%—0.1% in TPPA and 3% in RPR. Our population has a high number of prenatal screens and autoimmune diseases, both of which are more likely to have biological false positives in the RPR screen, a tendency we observed.

Can you be a carrier of STD and test negative?

It is possible to get a negative test result and still have an STD. Given the potential impact of some STDs—from genital warts to fertility issues to cancer and more—it may seem unlikely that you could have one and not know it. But very often, that's the case.


When is too early for syphilis test?

How soon should I get tested for syphilis after having unprotected sex? You can get tested for syphilis as soon as a few weeks after you have unprotected sex. And if you notice a sore on your genitals or you're showing any other signs of syphilis, get checked out by a nurse or doctor as soon as possible.

How long does syphilis take to show in blood test?

It may take up to 12 weeks between getting a syphilis infection and when it will show on a blood test. A swab can be taken if there is a sore or ulcer present – you'll need to go to a sexual health clinic for this.