Understand your
First To Know®
syphilis test results and see a doctor online
Confidential testing and treatment for syphilis from the comfort of home.

Select the result of your First To Know® syphilis test
Who should get treatment for syphilis?
1
If you have symptoms of syphilis (even if your First To Know® syphilis test is negative).
2
If you have been exposed to someone who has syphilis even if your First To Know® Test is negative.
3
If you have a positive syphilis test and you have not been treated for syphilis.
Syphilis is silent. And serious.™
Up to
90%
of people who have syphilis
don’t know THEY HAVE IT
You could have no symptoms and still be transmitting syphilis to your sexual partner. It can take up to 90 days from the time of exposure for you to develop antibodies that are detected by the First To Know® or other syphilis screening tests. In most cases, you never see any of the visible signs of syphilis.
The visible signs of syphilis
Most people don’t notice any of these

- Rash on the palms, soles, or the body
- Mucous patches on and in the mouth
- A painless sore or ulcer (chancre) on the genitals
- Condyloma (wart-like bumps) on the genitals
- A lump on the skin (the ankle) and in the bone called a gumma
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Muscle aches
The silent signs of syphilis

- Cardiac syphilis (heart): Aortic aneurysm, Aortic stenosis, Aortic regurgitation, Congestive heart failure
- Ocular syphilis (eyes): Uveitis, Optic neuritis, Retinitis, Impaired vision that you were not born with, Photophobia (sensitivity to light), Redness or inflammation of the eyeball (not the skin around it)
- Otosyphilis (ears): Unexplained hearing loss that you were not born with, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), impaired balance (that you were not born with), Vertigo
- Neurosyphilis (brain and nervous): Difficulty coordinating muscle movements, numbness or weakness anywhere on the body, changes in your personality (emotional outbursts, depression, apathy, delusions)
If your test was negative, but you are still concerned that you may have syphilis, talk to a doctor now.
A negative syphilis test does not always mean you don’t have syphilis.
If your First To Know® syphilis test is negative, you could still have syphilis.
It can take up to 90 days to develop the antibodies that are detected by the First To Know® or other lab based syphilis tests.
If your First To Know® test was negative and you are still concerned that you may have syphilis, talk to a doctor now. Your provider on AZOVA can order the testing you need to get a definitive syphilis diagnosis and can provide prescription treatment as indicated.
Here is the lab testing needed to get a full syphilis diagnosis
The First To Know® test checks for a type of antibody called ‘treponemal antibodies’. A positive First To Know® syphilis test result means that you have antibodies that may indicate a current syphilis infection OR a past syphilis infection. To start treatment for syphilis, we also need to check ‘non-treponemal’ antibody titers so your healthcare provider can track your response to treatment.
Order the syphilis confirmatory test
We’ll order the testing you need to get a full diagnosis. Get a telehealth visit to get treatment and ongoing care.
Testing for both Non-treponemal antibody titers and Treponemal antibody levels are needed to diagnose and treat syphilis.
Full STI Screening is also recommended at the same time to detect any associated STIs.
First, the lab will run this test:
Non-Treponemal Antibody Test
with Titers
Positive when you have syphilis and with
Individuals with the following conditions can have a false positive syphilis non-treponemal antibody test:
For this reason, it is important that we check your treponemal antibodies at the same time. If BOTH tests are negative and you are still concerned that you may have syphilis, repeat both tests in one month.
We’ll also check your antibody titers (the number of antibodies) if this test is positive. The titer numbers are tracked to make sure they go down after treatment. This number serves as your baseline before treatment and is retested and tracked over time.
If Non-treponemal antibodies are detected,
the lab will run this test:
Treponemal Antibody Test
Positive when you have an active infection AND if you’ve had an infection in the past. These antibodies are usually positive for life. The laboratory will run this test only if your non-treponemal antibodies are positive. If both tests are negative and you have symptoms or have had sex with someone who has been diagnosed with syphilis in the last 90 days, you should get treatment now.
The Comprehensive Sexual Health Ten Test Panel
This test screens for ten additional STIs that are associated with syphilis at the same time.
Tests for 10 other STIs at the same time.
Designed to be completed along with the in laboratory syphilis confirmation test. We’ll check for the following:
