In this article, we will discuss Syphilis Test Australia. Syphilis is a serious sexually transmitted disease that can be cured with antibiotics if caught in time. However, there are many myths surrounding Syphilis testing and treatment that need to be debunked. Here are five things you should know about Syphilis tests:

EIA Test

EIA stands for enzyme immunoassay. Syphilis tests that are EIA-based can be used as a screening tool or as a diagnostic test. The difference between the two is how each type of Syphilis test is interpreted by your healthcare provider. A positive diagnosis from an EIA Syphilis Test Australia often prompts further testing to confirm whether you have Syphilis.

An IFA Test

If your initial Syphilis test comes back negative, but you still suspect that you may have contracted this sexually transmitted disease, it’s important to request an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) blood test for Syphilis to rule out infection with the bacteria responsible for causing Syphilis. In general, if both types of tests come back inconclusive and no other factors point towards Syphilis.

VDRL Test

After your blood is drawn, it will be sent to a laboratory where technicians utilize the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Syphilis Test (VDRL) or Rapid Plasma Reagin Syphilis Test (RPR), which are both considered screening tests for Syphilis. These tests work by checking for Syphilis antibodies that are produced by your body when it comes in contact with Syphilis bacteria. Since these tests can produce false-positive results, additional testing is required to confirm the presence of Syphilis. This can be done using an IFA test or a TREPONEMA PALLIDUM Particle Agglutination Assay (TPPA).

Home Kits

There are home syphilis tests that you can buy over-the-counter that you can give to your doctor after testing positive. These kits test for Syphilis using a small blood sample from your finger to check for Syphilis antibodies. The results should only be used as an initial screening test and must be confirmed with laboratory testing before any treatment can begin.

False Negative Results

Because Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact, it’s possible that you have been infected without knowing it. Tests may show up negative even though you may have contracted Syphilis in another way, such as by sharing needles while injecting drugs, tattoos, body piercings, etc. In these cases, a lab culture of blood or lymph nodes will need to be taken for further testing, which could take several weeks after the infection has occurred, so get tested regularly!

To conclude, if left untreated, Syphilis can lead to serious health conditions and even death, so get tested today!