Syphilis

Syphilis cases reach 30-year high in King County

According to an article published March 18, 2011 By Carol M. Ostrom Seattle Times health reporter, “Syphilis, once nearly gone from King County, is back with 2010 infection rates reaching a 30-year high.” Be safe - Get Tested.

Description:

The Syphilis Test detects antibodies to the bacterium that cause the disease in blood, body fluid or tissue. It will tell you if you’re infected or not.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can be spread through kissing, oral sex and sexual intercourse.

Why Do I Need It?:
If you’re having unprotected sex (including oral) and you have symptoms associated with this disease, you may want to get tested for syphilis. Keep in mind that if you’ve been exposed to syphilis, it make take up to 3 months for the antibodies to show up in your blood.

Test Details:
Normal Range:
Test results are given as positive or negative. If your test result is positive, this indicates that you have a past or present infection. If your test result is negative, this indicates that you do not have Syphilis or that you have been infected in the last 3 months and the antibodies are not showing in the blood work yet. If you think you have been exposed to Syphilis you should be test again in 3 months after a negative result.
High Results Indicate:
Test results are given as positive or negative.
Low Results Indicate:
Test results are given as positive or negative.

What Type of Physician Should You See?
You should see your primary care physician.