Can a GP test for syphilis, or do I need to go to DSC?

Yes, a GP can test you for syphilis. You don’t need a referral or a visit to DSC Clinic. Syphilis testing is a blood test that looks for antibodies to the bacterium (Treponema pallidum) that causes it, and any GP clinic that does sexual health screening can take the sample. At Atlas Pacific Medical in River Valley, the doctor takes your blood at the clinic after a private consultation, and the result is reviewed with you in person or by phone/email. If the test shows syphilis, the doctor can also treat it here. First-line treatment is an antibiotic injection, followed by blood tests every 3 months to check the infection has cleared. If there is an allergy to the injection or the injection fails to resolve the infection, a second-line oral antibiotic may be used. DSC Clinic, the national public clinic for sexually transmitted infections, is a good option too if you prefer the public system. The choice mostly comes down to location, opening hours and whether you want the same doctor for your follow-up visits.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sim Li Kun, MBChB (UK), GDFM (Singapore), 25 October 2026.

How is syphilis tested?

Syphilis is tested with a blood sample taken from your arm. The laboratory checks for antibodies to Treponema pallidum. The basic test that is run is known as VDRL and if this test is negative then you do not have syphilis and no other test is needed. However, if VDRL is positive the lab will automatically run two other tests (at no additional cost) known as TPPA and RPR. These extra tests help the doctor to discern whether the infection is active and current, previously treated syphilis or dormant but untreated syphilis. The results can be confusing to interpret so please seek help from a clinic that is familiar with syphilis results. If you have a sore, the doctor may also examine it to aid in the diagnosis of syphilis.

When should I get tested?

• After unprotected sex with a new partner, or if a partner tells you they have syphilis
• If you notice a painless sore on the genitals, anus or mouth, or a rash on your palms or the soles of your feet
• As part of regular screening if you have more than one partner
• If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy

Antibodies can take a few weeks or months to show up after infection, so a test very soon after an exposure may need repeating to ensure that an infection is not missed.

GP or DSC: how do they compare?

• Location and hours: Atlas Pacific Medical is on River Valley Road and is open weekdays and Sunday evenings. DSC Clinic is at 31 Kelantan Lane, and its public clinic registers patients Monday to Friday, 8am to 11am and 1pm to 4pm. It is closed on weekends and public holidays.
• Appointments: you can walk in or book a same-day appointment at Atlas. DSC works by appointment; walk-in patients are assessed, pay a $5 walk-in fee if seen that day, and are seen after patients with appointments.
• Follow-up: at Atlas, the same doctor manages your treatment and your 3-monthly blood tests.
• Other tests: both can screen you for other STIs and HIV at the same visit.
• Cost: syphilis testing at Atlas costs $27.20 for a lab test while the rapid test costs $65.40. The lab test takes 2-3 days to return while the rapid test takes just 15 minutes, but do note that if you have had a confirmed syphilis infection in the past the rapid test may show false positive results, so the lab test will be the better option for accurate results. Public clinic fees differ; check DSC’s website for its current rates.

What happens if my test is positive?

Syphilis is curable with antibiotics. The usual treatment is an antibiotic injection. If you are allergic to it, or the injection doesn’t fully clear the infection, a month-long course of tablets is used instead. You’ll have blood tests every 3 months to check if the infection is going away. Your recent partners should also be tested and, if needed, treated so you aren’t re-infected by that partner.

Get tested in River Valley

You can walk in to Atlas Pacific Medical at 428 River Valley Road during opening hours, or book a same-day appointment on +65 6386 9098 or WhatsApp +65 8419 1943. Testing is confidential. Read more about syphilis and its treatment or see our STD testing options.