Syphilis is one of the highest reported Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the US. Nearly 115,000 new cases of syphilis have been diagnosed in the year 2018 alone, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
Syphilis infection progresses in three stages, oral syphilis is identified by cold sores also known as chancres around the oral cavity. Oral syphilis symptoms typically occur in the primary stage. In this article, we explain in detail the signs of oral syphilis, its stages, treatment, and testing options.
- Oral Syphilis Test Cost
- Can you get Oral Syphilis from Kissing?
- What is Oral Syphilis?
- Oral Syphilis Signs and Symptoms
- Syphilis Chancre and Mouth Sores
- Syphilis Symptoms in Men and Women
- Stages of Syphilis STD
- Syphilis in Mouth Treatment
- Providers Locations
Oral Syphilis Test Cost
Syphilis test cost ranges between $49 and $149 in different labs and facilities across the U.S. No prior appointment is required. Compare the price, order your test online, and visit the nearest lab during lab business hours. Complete the procedure and get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days.
The following table shows the syphilis test cost at 3 of our partner laboratories (CLIA – Certified) network located across the U.S.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
STD Check Labs
| Starting from
$39 |
LetsGetChecked(Home Test Kit)
| Starting from
$111.75 |
HealthLabs
| Starting from$49 |
Oral Syphilis Test Cost With Insurance
Most of the health insurance policies in the U.S. do not cover the Syphilis screening test cost. They might cover only the cost of the advanced tests performed. However, this also depends on your insurance plan.
Our STD testing providers do not accept any health insurance. But, they can provide you with a receipt containing all the details like the test name and code, and the CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
What is Oral Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Treponema Pallidum bacteria that spreads through person-to-person contact, such as through sexual intercourse. This includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Oral Syphilis is when the symptoms like sores and lesions occur around the mouth and the oral cavity, which is usually painless. Syphilis in the mouth typically spreads during oral sex, where the bacteria ventures into a cut or opening in the lip or mouth lining.
Initially, syphilis in the mouth can be difficult to spot, because the sores can look a lot similar to a pimple or other skin conditions. However, if you are sexually active and having more than one sex partner, then a mouth sore is not to be taken lightly. Get tested for STDs as quickly as possible. When it comes to Syphilis, the quicker the diagnosis and treatment, the better you can recover.
Can You Get Oral Syphilis from Kissing?
Syphilis-causing bacteria can not only be spread through sexual contact but also through close and unprotected contact like kissing, where the bacteria transmits through salivary droplets. The syphilis sores are highly contagious that they can be easily spread and the bacteria can adapt to the partner’s mouth and spread rapidly as the moisture is favorable.
However, oral syphilis through kissing is less common, and the bacteria cannot spread through sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses.
Oral Syphilis Signs and Symptoms
Syphilis bacteria enter the body through cuts or sores in the vagina, penis, anus, or mouth. Syphilis in the mouth is reckoned by a round painless sore around the mouth. If you suspect of having been exposed to Syphilis, getting diagnosed and treated at the right time can save you a fortune. If left, untreated the infection can lead to more severe diseases like HIV and neurological disorders.
Syphilis Symptoms in Men and Women
Most people do not exhibit any symptoms in the initial stages. Syphilis infection spreads through the mucous membrane via kissing or skin contact with these sores, where your vagina or penis gets in contact with your partner’s open sores in the genitals.
As the infection typically seems like a flu-like disease in the early primary stages, with a body rash, fever, muscle ache, sore throat, and hair loss, you shouldn’t take it for granted and wait for the symptoms to go away. Though, these symptoms can come and go with time. The invaded syphilis bacteria has to be terminated with antibiotics to get cured completely.
Women who are pregnant with syphilis infection can easily spread it to their baby during birth which is called Congenital Syphilis. Congenital Syphilis can cause severe abnormalities, sometimes, even death to the baby.
As the infection progresses in three stages, the symptoms will likely progress accordingly. This brings us to the next topic stages of syphilis STD.
Syphilis Stages
Syphilis is categorized into three stages, depending on the severity of the symptoms:
- Primary and Secondary stage
- Latent Stage (late non-primary and non-secondary)
- Tertiary Stage
Primary Syphilis: Syphilis Chancre and Mouth Sores
During the primary stage of infection exhibits chancres (ulcers), and small and round sores which are generally painless. They occur the in or around the mouth (on the lip and/or the tongue) and even the genitals anywhere between 10 to 90 days after the initial exposure. These sores are highly contagious and a person can easily get Syphilis by coming into contact with this sore. But these sores can go away without any treatment after a period of time.
However, with the concealing of the mouth sores, the syphilis bacteria is not yet gone. The bacteria is still silently active and manipulating.
Secondary Syphilis
As the bacteria multiply without any symptoms, leading to the next stage, where the symptoms will be exhibited a bit stronger with more signs. Oral syphilis (mouth sores, sore throat, and genital sores) will come back. Sometimes you may also notice moist warts on the groin area and white patches inside the mouth. The following are some of the other symptoms of the secondary stage of syphilis;
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Large, raised sores on mucous membranes, such as gums or tongue
- Rash on the palms of hands, the bottom of feet, or over the whole torso
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headaches
- Weight loss
Similar to primary syphilis, secondary syphilis can also go away without significant treatment.
Latent Syphilis
If left uncured during the initial stages, thinking the symptoms disappear as the infection has got cured naturally, leads to the third stage. The bacteria in the latent or hidden stage remain inactive in the body. All the symptoms of primary and secondary syphilis will disappear and you won’t see any noticeable symptoms in the body. This stage may last up to years before progressing to the final stage.
Tertiary Syphilis
The last stage of syphilis STD is the tertiary stage which is the most severe and life-threatening. Nearly 15% to 30% of the people who do not get diagnosed and treated in the earlier stages enter this stage. The symptoms are adverse to the extent that they affect other organs of the body and sometimes death in case of inadequate treatment; symptoms of the final syphilis stage are;
- Stroke
- Deafness
- Blindness
- Numbness
- Neurological problems
- Infection in the spinal cord membranes
- Personality changes
- Inflammation in the blood vessels
- Destruction of soft tissue and bones
Treatment for Syphilis in Mouth
Oral syphilis can be easily treated if diagnosed and detected in its early stages. Physicians typically prescribe the antibiotic benzathine penicillin G for syphilis in the mouth.
If your stage a little bit progresses into the primary and/or secondary stage, then the treatment method includes one injection of the antibiotic. In the case of the tertiary stage, where the bacteria is way more advanced in the body the dose of the antibiotic will be the same but requires multiple injections.
It is vital to complete the treatment course fully as prescribed by your physician for oral syphilis. If left untreated in the initial stages, the mouth sores and other symptoms will go away in a few weeks, however, this doesn’t mean you got cured of oral syphilis. The bacteria are still active in the body maintaining a low profile and manipulating more, resulting in additional symptoms that are likely to appear later.
It is advisable not to have sexual contact with partners until your chancres are completely healed. Your doctor may request to take a Syphilis test every 6 months for a year to confirm that you are cured fully.
Untreated syphilis can cause long-term severe damage to your organs, such as your heart and brain. Ultimately, some people can lose their lives against Syphilis.
Is there a Home Test Kit Available for Oral Syphilis?
One of our STD testing providers offers at-home syphilis testing. The home test kits are mostly preferred by people who are not convenient to get tested by visiting the lab or who do not have time to visit the lab.
At-home syphilis testing requires a sample taken using a cotton swab in the infected areas or a blood drop using the given finger prick. Before taking the sample, read the instructions carefully mentioned in the kit and when the sample is ready, post it back to the given address. The results will be sent to your email in 2 – 5 business days.
Is there any Preparation Required Before the Test?
There is no fasting or any other special preparation required before taking the Syphilis test.
You can continue with your regular diet and activities.
Providers Locations
STD tests can be done in any of the following states either at the provider’s location or home. To know the STD testing cost, check the above table.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my STD testing cost?
No. Generally, providers do not accept insurance in order to ensure your privacy. However, they will provide you with a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment for STD testing?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few of our providers provide doctor consultations who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
In order to ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
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