The syphilis test is a simple blood test, but it is very important in pregnancy. It not only helps in saving the health of the mother but also the life of the baby. Know why all pregnant women should get this test done?

Syphilis Test in Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, then you must get a test done. The name of this test is the Syphilis Test. By getting it done, syphilis disease can be detected. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which spreads through a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. This disease continues to grow in the body for a long time without any symptoms. This disease gradually affects the nervous system, heart, and brain. To detect this disease, a blood test is done, which is called the syphilis test.

Syphilis test is done when the SIT is done. This test detects whether there is a syphilis infection or not by identifying the antibodies formed in the blood. Syphilis test is very important during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman has syphilis and is not treated on time, then the syphilis infection can spread to the baby in the womb. This is called Congenital Syphilis.

How a syphilis test works

Dr. Saloni Chaddha, former head of the gynecology department at Safdarjung Hospital, says that blood is tested for syphilis. The presence of infection is detected by identifying the antibodies formed in the blood. In this test, VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test), RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin Test) and TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay) tests are usually done. These tests reveal whether a person has syphilis or not.

The Government of India has made the syphilis test mandatory in the initial examination of pregnant women. Usually this test is done in the first trimester of pregnancy. If needed, the doctor can repeat this test later also.

How syphilis infection spreads

Dr Saloni explains that syphilis infection is mainly spread by having unprotected sex. Apart from this, this disease can also be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood, from mother to child during pregnancy or birth and in rare cases by coming in contact with an infected wound.

WHO's warning about syphilis

According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of children get infected with syphilis every year. Due to which, abortion, birth of dead babies or serious syphilis infection can occur in newborn children. In many cases, children may have problems related to organs and brain after birth.

How is protection done

It is treated with penicillin injection. This is an antibiotic medicine which completely eliminates the infection. If the woman is pregnant and gets timely treatment, then the child can be saved from infection. Therefore, doctors advise that this test should be done during pregnancy so that the problem can be caught in time.

Treatment and prevention

• practicing safe sex
• Getting a screening test
• Seek immediate treatment if you have an infection
• Get tested for STDs from time to time
• With timely identification and treatment it can be completely cured.