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Syphilis rates have risen sharply in the UK. A dual-serology test from home tells you your current status and whether past infection has been treated.
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Combined treponemal and non-treponemal syphilis serology (TPHA + RPR) from a home fingerstick blood sample. Detects active and past infection.
Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. After decades of low incidence in the UK, syphilis rates have risen sharply since 2010, particularly among men who have sex with men, and more recently in heterosexual populations. Early syphilis (primary and secondary) typically presents as painless ulcers or rash, but these signs may be missed or confused with other conditions. Late or tertiary syphilis, developing years after an untreated primary infection, can cause severe cardiovascular and neurological damage. This combined test uses both TPHA (treponemal antibody, which persists for life after infection) and RPR (a non-treponemal reactivity marker, which reflects active disease and falls with treatment), giving a comprehensive picture that distinguishes active infection from treated past infection. All results are reviewed by a GMC-registered physician.
Understand what each marker measures, why it matters, and what the science says — not just a list of numbers.
This panel is designed for adults who want a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of their metabolic health — not a GP referral panel.
MSM individuals as part of routine quarterly sexual health screening
Anyone with a new sexual partner, particularly if the partner's status is unknown
Pregnant women, or those planning pregnancy, checking their status
People who have had a previous syphilis diagnosis monitoring for reinfection
Anyone with a genital ulcer, rash on the palms or soles, or other possible syphilis signs
Syphilis serology has a window period of approximately 3 to 6 weeks after initial infection; testing within this window may produce a false negative TPHA result. RPR can produce false positive results in the setting of autoimmune conditions (lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome), pregnancy, viral infections, and some chronic inflammatory conditions — a clinical pattern known as biological false positive. TPHA combined with RPR substantially reduces this false positive rate. A positive TPHA in the context of a negative RPR typically indicates past treated syphilis, but specialist sexual health assessment is required to confirm this interpretation. This test cannot assess cerebrospinal fluid; neurosyphilis diagnosis requires LP (lumbar puncture) in a specialist setting.
From order to physician-reviewed report in as little as three working days.
Discreet home fingerstick kit.
TPHA becomes positive from 3 to 6 weeks; 6 weeks post-exposure provides reliable results.
Pre-paid Royal Mail envelope included.
Physician-reviewed TPHA and RPR result in 3 to 5 working days.
Three options designed to fit your schedule, location, and preference — all producing a laboratory-standard sample.
Adults 18+ in mainland UK. Not suitable if you have had a transfusion in the last 3 months.
Order anytime; kit dispatched within 24 hours Mon–Fri.
Allow 24–48 hours for sample transit on top of lab processing time.
Adults 18+ within 20 miles of a serviced city centre.
Mon–Sun, 06:00–20:00. Next-day booking typical.
Sample reaches the lab within 24 hours of collection.
Adults 16+ with photo ID. Paediatric draws by appointment at selected sites.
Mon–Fri, with Saturday hours at most metropolitan locations.
Samples processed same-day at the receiving clinic.
Every test is processed in a UKAS ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, overseen by GMC-registered physicians, and governed by UK GDPR. No overseas processing, no offshore data.
Follow these guidelines to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Most markers are sensitive to recent food, exercise, and sleep.
Can't find your answer? Our clinical support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Contact supportSyphilis progresses through distinct stages if untreated. Primary syphilis produces a painless ulcer (chancre) at the site of infection, typically 2 to 3 weeks after exposure, which heals spontaneously. Secondary syphilis develops 2 to 8 weeks later with a non-itchy rash — classically on the palms and soles — along with fever, lymphadenopathy, and mouth ulcers. Latent syphilis is a symptom-free period that can last years. Tertiary syphilis affects approximately 15 to 30 percent of untreated individuals and can cause severe cardiovascular damage (aortitis, aortic regurgitation) and neurological damage (meningovascular syphilis, general paresis). All stages before tertiary are treatable with a single course of penicillin.
Syphilis is treated with penicillin — specifically benzathine benzylpenicillin administered by intramuscular injection. Primary and secondary syphilis requires a single injection; late latent syphilis requires three weekly injections. For those allergic to penicillin, doxycycline is an alternative for non-pregnant adults. Treatment must be administered by a sexual health clinic, not via home antibiotics. All sexual contacts from the preceding 3 to 12 months (depending on the stage) should be notified and offered testing and treatment. Follow-up RPR titres at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment confirm adequate response.
A positive TPHA indicates that you have been infected with Treponema pallidum at some point, but it does not necessarily mean you currently have active syphilis. TPHA remains positive for life after successful treatment, which is why the RPR is essential context: a positive TPHA with a negative RPR typically indicates past treated syphilis; a positive TPHA with a positive RPR is more consistent with active or recently treated infection requiring specialist assessment. Your physician commentary will interpret both results together and recommend the appropriate next steps.
Yes. During the latent phase, syphilis produces no symptoms and the rash and chancre of earlier stages have resolved, but the individual remains infectious. Primary and secondary syphilis are the most infectious stages due to the presence of spirochaetes in the chancre exudate and the diffuse skin rash of secondary syphilis. Condoms significantly reduce transmission risk but do not eliminate it entirely, as the chancre may be in a location not covered by a condom. Testing is the only way to know your status with certainty.
