Syphilis Rapid Test Kit

Rapid Syphilis Testing Kits
    The Home Bio Syphilis test is an easy to use, accurate and reliable assay that will detect antibodies to the bacteria which causes syphilis in whole blood, serum or plasma.

    The test is easy to use and the result is available within minutes – in the privacy of your own home.

Accurate and Specific
    Our test kits are the same as those used by doctors and other healthcare professionals to screen for infection with syphilis. The test is specific for syphilis and has an accuracy of greater than 99.8%.

Performing the test
    You simply prick your finger, using the lancet provided, and transfer a few drops of your blood to the test cassette with the dropper provided. The easy to read result will develop after ten minutes and you will learn your syphilis status.

    The test comes with an easy to understand instruction sheet.

What is Syphilis?
    Syphilis is a potentially fatal sexually transmitted disease which is caused by infection with the Treponema pallidum bacteria. The bacteria can be passed on through any heterosexual or homosexual sexual act (vaginal; anal or oral). The source of the infection is a sore, usually on the external genitals, of the affected person and the disease is transmitted through direct contact with the sore. Syphilis sores can also occur in the vagina; on the anus or in the rectum and on the lips or in the mouth of an infected person. Syphilis can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby (congenital syphilis). Congenital syphilis is estimated to kill more than a million babies worldwide every year, but this tragedy could be avoided with timely, proper treatment.

    The symptoms associated with syphilis are easily mistaken for other sexually transmitted diseases. It is also the case that the majority of sufferers are unaware that they are infected and so can pass on the infection to their sexual partners unwittingly. There are three stages of a syphilis infection:

Stage 1.
    Following the initial infection, a firm, round, small, painless sore (or chancre) will develop at the site where the bacteria entered the body. After three to six weeks, the sore will heal without any medical intervention and the disease will progress to stage 2.

Stage 2.
    The second stage of the disease typically starts with a rough, red or reddish brown rash on the body (often on the palms of the hands or souls of the feet). The rash usually doesn’t itch and can be so faint that it is not noticed. The onset of the second stage can occur as the stage 1 sore is healing or some weeks after it has healed. Other symptoms associated with this stage may occur and can include fever; swollen glands; sore throat; headaches; weight loss; muscular aches; fatigue and patchy hair loss. Again, these symptoms will abate without treatment as the disease progresses.

Latent and late stages of syphilis.
    Once symptoms associated with stage 1 and 2 disappear, the disease has passed into the latent (i.e. hidden) phase. This phase may last for years. Late stage syphilis may start 10 to 20 years after the initial infection and will appear in approximately 15% of untreated patients. Should it do so, the disease can damage the body’s internal organs such as the brain; nerves; eyes; heart; liver; bones; joints and blood vessels. The patient may experience difficulty with co-ordinating movement; numbness; paralysis; gradual loss of sight and dementia. Late stage syphilis can be fatal.

    The good news is that the disease is easily cured in its early stages, so early detection and treatment are vital. In the early stage (less than a year post infection), a single intravenous penicillin injection will be enough to cure the patient of the disease. Later stages may require a more extensive anti-biotic treatment, but whilst the disease can be cured, any damage that it has already done in the late stage is permanent. Patients should refrain from sexual intercourse until the treatment has been completed and an effort should be made to contact and test any sexual partners who might be at risk.