Any person with signs or symptoms suggestive of syphilis should be tested for syphilis. Also, anyone with an oral, anal, or vaginal sex partner who has been recently diagnosed with syphilis should be tested for syphilis.

Some people should be tested (screened) for syphilis even if they do not have symptoms or know of a sex partner who has syphilis. Anyone who is sexually active should discuss his or her risk factors with a health care provider and ask whether he or she should be tested for syphilis or other STDs.

In addition, providers should routinely test for syphilis in persons who

  • are pregnant;
  • are sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM);
  • are living with HIV and are sexually active;
  • are taking PrEP for HIV prevention.