A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Syphilis Test (RPR with Confirmation)

An RPR syphilis screen, with lab follow-up if it is reactive.

Loading price
  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
2 to 4 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

This test starts with an RPR, a blood test that reacts to changes syphilis causes in the body rather than to the bacteria directly. If the RPR is reactive, the lab measures its level and runs a treponemal test, specific to the syphilis bacteria, on the same sample. A provider reads both together.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

For adults who want routine or yearly syphilis screening, or are starting with a new partner. Many infections cause no symptoms. If you have symptoms, also see a healthcare provider.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your results show whether the RPR screen is reactive and, if so, the treponemal result that helps a healthcare provider understand whether it points to syphilis.

Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
RPR is a blood test that looks for antibodies the body can make during a syphilis infection. It is a screening step, because other conditions can sometimes cause a reactive result. If the RPR is reactive, the lab measures how strong it is and runs a second, more specific syphilis antibody test.
Why it’s measured: The first step in a two-step syphilis screen, followed by a second test if reactive.
Treponema pallidum antibodies (if RPR is reactive)
If your RPR is reactive, the lab runs this second test on the same sample. It looks for antibodies aimed directly at the bacteria that cause syphilis. Because these antibodies often stay positive after treatment, a provider reads the two results together with your history.
Why it’s measured: Added by the lab on the same sample to clarify a reactive RPR result.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 2 to 4 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

The RPR is reported as reactive or nonreactive. If it is reactive, the lab also reports an RPR level (titer) and a treponemal antibody result.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

A reactive result needs follow-up with a healthcare provider, who reads it with your history and can talk about treatment and partner testing.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

The RPR can be reactive for reasons other than syphilis, including some other health conditions and pregnancy. So when the RPR is reactive, the lab runs a treponemal test on the same sample, which looks for antibodies to the syphilis bacteria themselves. A healthcare provider reads both results together.

Yes. The lab notes that people who were treated for syphilis in the past stay positive on treponemal tests, so a positive follow-⁠up result does not on its own mean a new infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any past syphilis and its treatment so your results can be read in context.

Timing matters. The lab notes the RPR can be negative in someone recently infected, so a very early test may not reflect a new infection. The RPR can also be nonreactive in some long-⁠standing infections. A healthcare provider can advise when to test and whether to retest.

If the RPR is reactive, the lab also measures how strongly it reacts, called the titer. A healthcare provider reads the titer with the treponemal result and your history. A titer on its own does not tell you whether you have syphilis now, so share all of your results with a provider.

Some positive results are reported to public health authorities as required by state law. Talk with a healthcare provider about any positive result.