3 Reasons to Use a Syphilis Home Test

A syphilis home test is a smart way to take control of your health. Syphilis is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is spreading wider and farther across the United States each year. Let’s look at the symptoms of this sexually transmitted infection and three reasons why you might want to choose a syphilis home test.

Reason #1: Almost EVERYONE is at Risk

Unfortunately, almost all of us are at risk for infection. This STI doesn’t discriminate based on age, race or sexual orientation. Syphilis is usually transmitted via vaginal, anal or oral sex. Basically, anyone who engages in sexual activity is a potential candidate for infection.

To make matters worse, this infection can be tough to track without something like a syphilis home test or a trip to the clinic. One reason for this is that the signs of syphilis are easy to miss with the naked eye. Additionally, the lifecycle of syphilis is more complicated than many of us realize. In fact, syphilis attacks the body in several distinct “stages.”

These stages are called:

• Primary Syphilis
• Secondary Syphilis
• Early Latent Syphilis
• Late Syphilis

Syphilis in the Primary Stage

The earliest phase of an infection may not show any visible symptoms at all. If there is a detectable sign of syphilis, it may resemble a tiny, painless sore. It can be difficult to even notice. This sore can be easily mistaken for acne or an ingrown hair. Within three-to-six weeks, it will disappear. Sadly, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. The infection is still inside your body.

Syphilis in the Secondary Stage

In the next stage, you may notice several new visible signs of syphilis. These syphilis symptoms can include:

• a bright red rash
• fever
• swollen lymph glands
• painful or scratchy throat
• sores may appear in your mouth, genitals or anus
• hair loss
• headaches
• weight loss
• fatigue

Usually, these symptoms vanish within a few weeks. This disappearing act is actually the syphilis infection gearing up for its third stage: Latent Syphilis.

Syphilis in the Third Stage (“Latent Syphilis”)

Latent Syphilis may not seem like a “stage” at all.  However, looks can be deceiving. For potentially several years, you may not notice any clear, detectable symptoms. Unfortunately, this is only leading up to the more-serious tertiary stage.

Late-Stage Signs of Syphilis (“Tertiary Syphilis”)

The final stage of syphilis can occur any time between 10 and 30 years following the initial onset of the infection.

The signs and symptoms of syphilis during this phase may include:

• Loss of muscle control and coordination
• Numbness
• Paralysis
• Blindness
• Dementia
• Death is a possible outcome due to widespread damage to the heart, liver, bones, and joints.

Reason #2: A Syphilis Home Test is Convenient

The key to avoiding and treating syphilis is easy: routine testing! Using myLAB Box’s syphilis test kit, or any of our other services, you can screen from the comfort of home.

Here’s how ordering an at home STD test from myLAB Box works:

• Order a testing kit. (You even get free shipping!)
• Collect a sample using the easy-to-follow instructions.
• Send the sample off for testing. (More free shipping!)
• Receive your lab-certified results online in just days

Within days of sending in your sample, your lab-certified results will be waiting for you on a secure private portal. These are the same quality of results that you would receive from a local clinic. The difference with myLAB Box’s home testing is that now you can receive them from the comfort of home!

In the event of a positive result, have a free phone consultation with a physician the same day you get your results online.

Reason #3: A Syphilis Home Test is Affordable

With myLAB Box, the entire home testing process is quite economical. myLAB Box’s home testing kits are designed to be affordable without insurance. In fact, these tests are about half of the out-of-pocket cost at other medical facilities. If you need or prefer financial assistance, most Flexible Savings Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) payment cards are accepted.

What’s more, myLAB Box’s prices are the same no matter who is testing or where you are testing. These affordable prices are exactly the same from state to state and from customer to customer.

Test at Home to Remain Syphilis Free

Fortunately, syphilis is treatable when spotted early. The prescription you’ll receive from a medical professional should clear it up in no time. Early detection and treatment is the key to taking total control of your sexual health. Regularly screening with a syphilis home test kit is among the best ways to be absolutely sure of your status.