How is syphilis diagnosed and treated?
Syphilis is diagnosed through a number of tests that your GP or sexual health clinic will perform. These can include: • Blood test • Examination of the genital area • Swab from the infected area (the sore) Once a diagnosis has been made a 10 to 14 day course of antibiotics will be prescribed. But it is important that syphilis is identified as early as possible to ensure that treatment is effective. If the infection has reached the tertiary stage the antibiotic treatment will need to be injected directly into the bloodstream. This can stop the infection, but it will not repair any damage that may have already been caused by the disease.
