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Syphilis Symptoms & Testing
Cross Street Medical Clinic offers all relevant STD/STI screening tests and treatments. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
Syphilis can cause serious complications if left untreated, by spreading to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones and joints.
In the early stages, it may present as a painless sore that can go unnoticed. The painless sore will heal, even without treatment. However, the infection will remain in the body.
Syphilis testing may be done by laboratory blood test, rapid syphilis test and direct smear (where available).
Treatment with antibiotics is necessary. Early treatment will prevent complications.
Syphilis is one of several infections discussed under STD/STI conditions
What Are the Stages of Syphilis?
Syphilis typically progresses through several stages:
Primary stage
- A painless sore may appear at the site of infection.
- The sore may heal on its own
Secondary stage
- Skin rashes or lesions
- Possible flu-like symptoms
Latent stage
- No visible symptoms
- Infection remains in the body
Late stage
- May affect organs such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones and joints
What Are the Symptoms of Syphilis?
Symptoms depend on the stage of infection.
Some people may notice:
- Painless sores
- Skin rashes
- high fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands
Others may not have symptoms, particularly during the latent stage.
Can Syphilis Be Present Without Symptoms?
Yes. During the latent stage, there may be no visible symptoms of infection.
This underscores the importance of testing, especially for people who have had potentially high risk exposure.
How do we contract Syphilis?
Syphilis is a highly contagious disease that spreads by direct contact with a syphilis ulcer during vaginal, oral and anal sex.
Occasionally, the disease can be passed to another person through prolonged kissing or close bodily contact.
If you have had syphilis and were treated, you can still get infected again through unprotected sex with someone with syphilis.
How can we tell that we may have Syphilis?
Syphilis is nicknamed the “great pretender” because the symptoms can look like many other diseases.
The average time before appearance of the first symptoms is 21 days but can range from 10 to 90 days after the potentially high risk exposure.
Typical symptoms include:
- Firm, painless, non-itchy ulcer or ulcers (chancre) on or around the penis, scrotum, vagina, or anus
- Painful sores inside vagina, rectum, mouth and lips
- Reddish-pink, non-itchy rash on the trunk and extremities, including the palms and soles
- Flat, broad, whitish, wart-like lesions known as condylomata latum on mucous membranes
When Should You Consider Syphilis Testing in Singapore?
You should consider testing if:
- recent unprotected sexual contact
- sores or rashes
- contact with someone diagnosed with Syphilis
- routine screening
In Singapore, syphilis testing can be done in a GP setting by blood tests or rapid test.
What is a Rapid Syphilis Test?
A rapid syphilis test in Singapore is a screening test that can provide results immediately.
Depending on the result, further confirmatory testing may be needed.
Syphilis Testing in Singapore
Usually, blood tests (VDRL, TPPA, RPR titres) are used to screen and follow-up syphilis treatment.
A screening test, known as a Rapid Syphilis Test Kit (results available after 20 minutes) is also available.
Cross Street Medical offers all syphilis screening tests. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
Why Early Detection Matters
With early diagnosis, the following can be implemented:
- timely treatment
- reduced risk of complications
- prevention of transmission to others
What does Syphilis do to our bodies?
There are four stages:
Primary syphilis
During the first stage, you may notice a single sore or multiple ulcers. The ulcer is located where syphilis entered the body. Sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless and often go unnoticed. There may also be painless lymph nodes.
The sores heal within 3 to 6 weeks. After ulcers heal, you are still infectious unless you have been treated with antibiotics.
Secondary syphilis
During the secondary stage, you may have skin rashes and sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus. The rash can start at one or more areas of the body. The rash can show up when your primary sore is healing or 4-10 weeks after the sore has healed.
The rash can look like rough, red, or reddish brown spots on the palms of your hands and soles of the feet. Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Symptoms will disappear, even without treatment. But you are still infectious until you have been treated with antibiotics.
Latent syphilis
During the latent stage, there are no visible signs or symptoms of syphilis. This period can last for years, and you remain infectious until you have been treated with antibiotics.
Tertiary syphilis
Most people with untreated syphilis do not develop tertiary syphilis. Tertiary syphilis can occur 3–30 years after infection. In tertiary syphilis, there can be damage to internal organs such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones and joints.
Untreated syphilis may also increase a person’s risk of HIV.
What is the treatment for Syphilis?
Syphilis infection can be cured with antibiotics.
Follow-up testing for up to 24 months is recommended to confirm that treatment is successful.
Cross Street Medical offers treatment for syphilis. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
How do we prevent infection and re-infection?
- Avoiding high risk sex, including commercial sex workers, casual sex and multiple sex partners
- Using condoms, including during oral sex
- Being in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for syphilis and other STDs/STIs
Frequently Asked Questions About Syphilis
A painless sore at the site of infection. Because it is not painful, it often goes unnoticed.
Yes. During the latent stage, there may be no visible symptoms even though the infection is still present in the body.
Syphilis is diagnosed through blood tests. In some cases, rapid screening tests or direct smear may also be used.
Yes. Syphilis testing in Singapore is available at GP clinics and may be included as part of STD/STI screening.
A rapid syphilis test is a screening test that can provide preliminary results immediately (20 minutes). Confirmatory testing may be required depending on the result.
Testing may be considered after potentially high risk exposure, if symptoms are present, or as part of routine health screening.
Yes. Syphilis can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
If untreated, syphilis may progress to tertiary Syphilis and affect organs such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones and joints.
Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. If there is a recurrence of Syphilis, it is because of reinfection by a new exposure.
Testing is conducted in a confidential medical setting. You can speak with your doctor if you have concerns about privacy.
Medical Information Review
This page has been prepared for general patient education and should not replace a consultation with a doctor.
Reviewed by: Dr Reginald Tang
Clinic: Cross Street Medical Clinic
Last reviewed: 12 May 2026
References
When to seek medical advice
Please consult a doctor if you have symptoms, are unsure about your condition, or need advice on screening, testing, treatment, or follow-up care.
Conveniently located near Chinatown MRT in Singapore, Cross Street Medical Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services for professionals, residents, and businesses in Chinatown, Raffles Place, and Shenton Way. Whether you need discreet STD screening, general health check-ups, vaccinations, or chronic disease management, our experienced doctors ensure quality care with minimal waiting time.