Syphilis Blood Tests & Transmission After Many Years: What You Need to Know

Yes, syphilis can show up in a blood test after 20 years, and it can still be transmitted to a partner. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is a multi-stage disease that can progress from a primary chancre to secondary, latent, and tertiary stages. If untreated, syphilis can cause serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, and blindness.

Early-stage syphilis is usually diagnosed through a blood test or a darkfield microscopy test of the chancre. However, latent syphilis, which can last for years without any symptoms, can be difficult to diagnose. A blood test is the most common way to diagnose latent syphilis.

The RPR (rapid plasma reagin) test is a non-treponemal blood test that is used to screen for syphilis. If the RPR test is positive, a confirmatory treponemal blood test, such as the FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption) test, is performed to confirm the diagnosis of syphilis.

If you have been diagnosed with syphilis, it is important to be treated immediately to prevent serious complications and to avoid transmitting the infection to others. Treatment for syphilis typically involves penicillin injections, although other antibiotics may be used in some cases.

It is also important to notify your sexual partners so that they can be tested for syphilis and treated if necessary.