Universal Syphilis Testing

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated it can:  

• Lead to serious health problems like blindness, memory loss, heart and nerve problems, or even death.
• Cause a miscarriage or harm to the baby during pregnancy or delivery. 

If you think you’ve been exposed to syphilis, or if you have symptoms, talk with your health care provider. 

Syphilis infections are on the rise in BC, with about half of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region.  We are working with local partners to make testing and treatment more available. 

Starting February 2025, anyone aged 18 to 55 who needs blood tests as part of their emergency visit will also be tested for syphilis. This is part of a larger plan to reduce syphilis spread within the community, especially in underserved areas.

As with all tests…

• You have the right to decline the test. Just let your doctor or nurse know and they will remove syphilis from the list of tests.
• If you have questions about syphilis testing, please call 604-675-3900 and a public health nurse will help you.   
• For feedback, contact Providence Health Patient Care Quality Office at phcpcqo@providencehealth.bc.ca or 604-806-8284.

View the poster

Your test result should be ready within 5 to 7 days. Here’s what happens next…

If your results are negative, you won’t be contacted. You can check your results by:  

• Logging into Health Gateway, here. 
• Calling 604-675-3900 to speak with a public health nurse; or,
• Speaking with your health care provider 

If your results are positive, a public health nurse will contact you to arrange treatment. 

• Your results will also be available on Health Gateway but remember to discuss them with a health care provider for proper interpretation. 

Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. The main treatment is a series of antibiotic injections given by a health care provider. Depending on how long you’ve had the infection, you may require one or three sets of injections over three weeks. If you can’t have injections, an oral antibiotic is available.  

Treatment is free in BC, for everyone. The antibiotics used are:  

• Bicillin (preferred)
• Doxycycline 

After treatment, you’ll need follow-up blood tests to make sure the infection is gone. Keep in mind, antibiotics only protect against the current infection, not a future one. You can get syphilis again if you’re exposed.  

It is important to not have sex (even with a condom) for 7 days after the start of your injections. If you’re taking oral antibiotics, wait until you’ve finished the whole course before having sex. 

If you have sex before finishing treatment, you could pass syphilis to your partner(s) or get it again. 

It’s also important that you talk to your partners so they can get tested and treated if needed. You can let them know in several ways: 

• Your public health nurse can contact your partners confidentially and help get them tested.
• You can tell them directly, by phone, text, or even anonymously through a website called “Tell Your Partners” here. 

Important partners to inform  

1. Speak to your public health nurse if any of your partners are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. They need to be tested and treated to protect the baby. Syphilis can cause serious problems for newborns.  
2. If you had sex with a partner within 3 months prior to your positive test, they should be treated and tested on the spot.

Please refer your partners to our sexual health site for testing and treatment options near them.  

If you have questions about syphilis testing or need help with telling your partners, call the VCH Communicable Disease Team at 604-675-3900. You can also email MHOandCDNurseOnCall@vch.ca and a nurse will be in touch.