What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It is one of the four most important sexually transmitted infections (besideschlamydien, tripper und HIV). No need to worry! This is because syphilis can be both treated and prevented through regular testing. Before we get to your syphilis home test, here are a few facts about syphilis:
💡 Did you know that syphilis is the oldest sexually transmitted disease in the world?
💡 Syphilis is also called “lues” or “hard chancre”
💡A syphilis infection also increases the risk of contracting HIV
💡 Syphilis infections must be reported (reporting is anonymous)
💡 There are currently around 8800 new cases per year in Germany (source: RKI)
Infection and symptoms of syphilis
Syphilis infection
Infection with syphilis occurs via the mucous membranes or the bloodstream. How can the bacteria get into the body?
💡 Good to know: Condoms offer very good protection. However, in rarer cases, the pathogen can also penetrate the skin past the condom, e.g. at the base of the penis.
Syphilis symptoms
How can I tell if I have contracted syphilis? The symptoms of syphilis are often inconspicuous or unspecific, so that they are not noticed by those affected.
In general, however, syphilis infection usually progresses in 3 stages. The special thing is that the transitions between the stages are often completely symptom-free.
💡 Good to know: Not everyone affected goes through all stages. Sometimes a phase is skipped or goes unnoticed and without (noticeable) symptoms.
The syphilis home test from s.a.m health
Who should take a syphilis test?
- People with an active and varied sex life
- Sex workers
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk of infection
When should I take a syphilis test?
To be able to reliably detect a syphilis infection, you should wait around 10 weeks (diagnostic window). This is because the pathogens cannot be detected immediately after infection.
Where can I have a syphilis test and how much does it cost?
Test procedure for reliable syphilis tests
How can syphilis be treated?
And how do you get rid of syphilis? A syphilis infection is treated with antibiotics. The medication is injected directly into the muscle.
And sex? Yes, we know sex is beautiful! But until the treatment is complete, it is better to avoid it.
💡 Caution: A confirmed syphilis diagnosis must be reported. The laboratory reports the infection to the Robert Koch Institute in pseudonymized form without naming the affected person.