Creekside Family Health Clinic / Quality Health Care, Ketchikan, Alaska

SYPHILIS $40.00

What is it?

Syphilis tests detect antibodies to the bacterium that causes syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in blood, body fluid, or tissue. The tests are used to screen for or to confirm a syphilis infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is usually spread during sexual contact, including kissing or oral sex. Syphilis may have mild or absent symptoms in its early phases and may cause brain, nervous system, heart or eye damage which can be permanent or fatal.

Why do I need it?

A test for syphilis is done to:

Screen for syphilis or monitor treatment for a syphilis infection. Screening tests help your doctor look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear. This increases the chance of finding the infection when it can be cured or treated to avoid long-term problems.
- Some states require the VDRL screening test before a couple can obtain a marriage license.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that all pregnant women be screened for syphilis early in pregnancy.
Confirm that a syphilis infection is present.

If your results are ‘abnormal’ or ‘out-of-range’ from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.