This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is easy to miss and very treatable. Many people want to know three things first: what syphilis symptoms look like, whether a test can find it, and whether syphilis is curable. The short answers are that symptoms can be subtle or absent, a blood test can find it, and yes, a clinician can cure it with penicillin.

This guide covers how syphilis works, the stages, the rash, how testing works, what treatment involves and what Dallas and Texas data show. It also lists places in Dallas where you can ask a clinician for a test.

The short version

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium. It is not a virus, and it is not a sign of anything about who you are.
It moves through stages. Early stages can be painless, and some stages have no symptoms at all.
Blood tests are the usual way clinicians look for it. Two kinds of blood test are often used together.
According to the CDC, syphilis is curable with antibiotic treatment from a clinician, and penicillin is the preferred medicine for most people.
Follow-up blood tests after treatment help a clinician see whether the infection is responding.

The organism: what causes syphilis

A science-focused look begins with what is actually behind the infection. Syphilis is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It is a thin organism that does not survive well outside the human body.

The CDC explains that syphilis spreads through direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also pass from a pregnant person to a baby. The sore may be on the genitals, in the mouth or inside the rectum, so a person may not know it is there.

Because this is a bacterial infection, it responds to antibiotics. That is why the question "is syphilis curable" has a clear answer in the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021). It is different from HIV, herpes and HPV, which are treatable or manageable but not curable.

The bacterium also triggers an immune response. That response is what blood tests measure. Understanding that detail makes the testing section below easier to follow.

Syphilis symptoms by stage

The CDC describes syphilis in stages. Each stage can look different, and a person can move through the early stages without noticing anything. Symptoms are a reason to talk with a clinician. They are not a way to confirm or rule out syphilis on your own.

Stage	What the CDC says may happen
Primary	One or more small sores, often painless, where the bacterium entered the body. The sores usually heal on their own, even without treatment.
Secondary	A skin rash, sometimes with mucous membrane sores, fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches or tiredness. These can also fade without treatment.
Latent	No visible signs or symptoms. The infection is still in the body and a blood test may still find it.
Tertiary	A later stage that can affect the heart, blood vessels and other organs. It develops in some people who were never treated, often years later.

The CDC also notes that syphilis can affect the nervous system, the eyes or the ears at any stage. That is one reason a clinician takes new vision changes, hearing changes or severe headaches seriously in someone who may have been exposed.

One point is easy to miss. When a sore or a rash goes away, the infection has not necessarily gone away. According to the CDC, symptoms fading on their own does not mean the bacterium has cleared.

The syphilis rash

The syphilis rash belongs to the secondary stage. The CDC describes it as often showing up on the trunk, and sometimes on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It may look like rough, red or reddish-brown spots. In many people it does not itch.

The rash can be faint. It can also resemble other skin conditions, such as a reaction to a medicine, a viral rash or eczema. Because of that, a rash by itself cannot tell anyone whether syphilis is the cause. Only a clinician and a test can do that.

Some people also notice moist, wart-like patches in warm areas of the body, or sores in the mouth. The CDC lists these among possible secondary-stage signs.

If you have a new rash and a recent partner, or a partner who tested positive, that is a good moment to book a visit. You do not need to know the cause before you call. Describing what you see and when it began is enough.

Why the national rise matters

The CDC's surveillance reports show that syphilis, including congenital syphilis, has been rising in the United States over the past several years. This follows a period when cases were far lower. That change is the main reason public health agencies now stress routine testing.

Rising numbers matter for a practical reason. Syphilis can stay quiet for a long time, so more cases in a community means more chances for someone to have the infection without knowing. Testing is the only way to find out.

The CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) both recommend syphilis screening for people at increased risk and for all pregnant people. A clinician can help you work out which group applies to you.

Dallas and Texas data

Local numbers help show why this topic matters in Dallas. The most recent county figures published by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are from 2022. The comparisons below use DSHS data for the same year.

Measure (2022)	Dallas County	Texas
Primary and secondary syphilis	307 cases, 11.8 per 100,000 people	4,655 cases, 15.5 per 100,000 people
Syphilis, all stages	4,223 cases, 162.4 per 100,000 people	25,991 cases, 86.6 per 100,000 people

Sources: Texas DSHS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Texas in 2022 (STD Epidemiologic Profile) for Dallas County, and the Texas DSHS Texas STD Surveillance Report 2022 for the state.

Read the two rows differently. Dallas County's rate for the early stages was a little below the statewide rate. Its rate for all stages combined was well above the state's. That second number includes cases found at later stages, which is a reminder that testing and follow-up matter.

The DSHS Dallas figures are county-level, not city-only. DSHS has not published newer county syphilis data than 2022 in the reports available at the time of writing.

Congenital syphilis is a related concern. The CDC's 2023 surveillance tables list 930 congenital syphilis cases in Texas, a rate of 238.6 per 100,000 live births. Congenital syphilis happens when the infection passes to a baby during pregnancy, and it is preventable when the pregnant person is tested and treated in time.

How testing works: treponemal and non-treponemal blood tests

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe two families of blood tests for syphilis. Clinicians often use both, because each tells part of the story.

Non-treponemal tests

These tests look for substances the body makes in response to damage caused by the infection. The result is usually reported as a ratio, called a titer. A clinician can use the titer to see how active the infection looks.

Their strength is that the numbers can change with treatment. Their limit is that they can read positive for reasons other than syphilis, and they can read negative very early in infection. That is why a positive result is usually confirmed with a second kind of test.

Treponemal tests

These tests look for antibodies aimed at the syphilis bacterium itself. They are more specific, which means they are better at confirming that the antibodies are related to syphilis.

The CDC notes that treponemal tests usually stay positive for life, even after successful treatment. That is normal. It does not mean treatment failed, and it is why these tests are not used to track recovery.

Which comes first?

Some laboratories start with the non-treponemal test and confirm with a treponemal one. Others do it in the reverse order. Either approach can work. A clinic or lab will follow its own process, and you can ask which tests are being run.

Timing and test accuracy

Tests are not equally informative at every point after an exposure. For the specific window period, ask a clinician, who will use the current CDC guidance. If a test is done early and a new exposure or symptom is still a concern, a clinician may suggest testing again.

Research suggests that testing alone is not enough without follow-through. A result is most useful when it leads to a conversation about treatment, partners and a repeat test if needed.

Is syphilis curable? Treatment from a clinician

Yes. According to the CDC, syphilis is curable. Treatment is prescribed and given by a clinician. For most people, the CDC guidelines list penicillin, a long-established antibiotic, as the preferred medicine.

Which form, and how long it continues, depends on the stage and on the person's health. A clinician makes that decision, so this guide does not list amounts or schedules.

Two honest limits are worth knowing. First, treatment stops the infection from progressing, but the CDC says it may not reverse damage already done, such as in a later stage. Second, being cured once does not protect against getting syphilis again. A person can be reinfected through a new exposure.

Safety profile and what to tell your clinician

Penicillin has a long record of use. Even so, clinicians ask about a few things before they treat, so tell them if any of these apply:

A past reaction to penicillin or a related antibiotic. Many people who think they are allergic turn out not to be. A clinician can review the history and decide on the safest path. The CDC says this matters most in pregnancy, because penicillin is the recommended medicine and an allergy may call for a specialist's help.
Pregnancy. The CDC says treatment during pregnancy can protect the baby.
Other medicines you take, and any health conditions.
Changes in vision, hearing or severe headaches. These need prompt evaluation, because the CDC notes syphilis can reach the nervous system, eyes or ears.

The CDC also describes a short-term reaction that can happen within a day of treatment, with fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. It usually passes without further trouble. Clinicians know about it, and you can ask what to expect.

Sex partners also matter. In Texas, the CDC's legal summary says there is no state statute on expedited partner therapy, but administrative rules allow it. Physicians can prescribe for the partners of an established patient without first seeing the partner, and pharmacists may fill those prescriptions. Ask your clinician whether this applies to your situation.

Follow-up blood tests after treatment

Treatment is not the last step. The CDC recommends follow-up blood tests so a clinician can see whether the non-treponemal titer is falling as expected.

The timing of those visits depends on the stage and on the person. Your clinician will tell you when to come back. Keep those appointments even if you feel completely well, because a falling number is the clearest sign that treatment is working.

The CDC also advises that people avoid sexual contact until treatment is complete and any sores have healed, and that partners be evaluated. Your clinician can walk you through what that means for your own situation.

If the number does not fall as expected, a clinician may look into the reason. It can mean reinfection, a different stage than first thought, or something else. That is a medical question, not a personal failing.

Pregnancy and Texas testing law

Texas law builds syphilis testing into prenatal care. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 81.090, a pregnant person is tested for syphilis (along with HIV and hepatitis B) at the first prenatal visit. A syphilis and HIV test is done again in the third trimester, not earlier than the 28th week. A syphilis and hepatitis B test is done on admission for delivery.

The statute says a woman may object to the HIV tests, but not the syphilis tests. If no third-trimester syphilis and HIV result is in the record, testing is done at delivery, or of the newborn shortly after birth.

The USPSTF also recommends syphilis screening for all pregnant people. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, ask your prenatal clinician when each test is scheduled.

Privacy, reporting and minors

Syphilis is a notifiable condition in Texas. According to the Texas DSHS notifiable conditions list for 2026, primary and secondary syphilis are reported within one work day, and other stages, including congenital syphilis, within one week. Clinicians and labs file those reports with public health. This is how health departments track trends and help people get care.

For teens, Texas Family Code Section 32.003 says a minor of any age may consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease, which covers reportable STIs and HIV. Parent or guardian consent is not needed for that care. The same section lets a physician tell a parent or guardian about the treatment, with or without the minor's consent. A provider is not required to do so, but no one can promise it will never happen, so it is fair to ask a clinic about its practice up front.

Where to get tested in Dallas (quality indicators to look for)

A good testing setting does a few things: it can run the right blood tests, it can treat or refer you on the same visit or soon after, and it can explain follow-up testing. The Dallas clinics below publish services that fit that description. Costs and walk-in rules change, so call before you go.

Dallas County Health and Human Services Sexual Health Clinic

The county's page lists testing for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and mpox, and treatment for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. It is at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, 1st Floor, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75207. The phone number is (214) 819-1819.

Appointments are required, and same-day or next-day appointments are offered. Hours listed are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The phone line opens at 7:45 a.m., and the clinic closes at 3:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

The county says routine testing without symptoms is directed to the DCHHS Mobile Medical Unit. The county page lists no fees. The CDC GetTested listing says Medicaid is accepted and suggests contacting the organization about eligibility.

Resource Center Health (Nelson-Tebedo clinic)

At 2603 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX 75235, Resource Center says its confidential syphilis test is free, along with rapid HIV antibody and early HIV RNA tests. Gonorrhea and chlamydia testing is free with a $40 office visit. The page does not state a sliding scale or insurance policy, and it asks people to request an appointment online. The phone number is 214.528.2336.

Prism Health North Texas

The Oak Lawn Health Center is at 2801 Lemmon Ave, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75204, phone 214-521-5191. Prism says it uses sliding fee rates based on household income and size, accepts Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and most private insurance, and does not deny care based on ability to pay. Prism recommends scheduling in advance, with same-day and walk-in options for urgent issues depending on availability. It lists other Dallas locations on its website, all using the same phone number.

Other Dallas options

Parkland Health, Southeast Dallas Health Center, 9202 Elam Rd, Dallas, TX 75217, (214) 266-1600. The CDC GetTested listing shows sliding scale, Medicaid and insurance accepted.
AHF Healthcare Center, Dallas, 7777 Forest Ln Ste B 122, Dallas, TX 75230, (972) 383-1060. The CDC GetTested listing shows a sliding scale and no appointment required.
Neighborhood Medical Center, 5917 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254, (972) 726-6464. The CDC GetTested listing shows a sliding scale and no appointment required.
Foremost Family Health Centers, Martin Luther King Jr Family Clinic, 2922-B MLK Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215, (214) 426-3645. The CDC GetTested listing shows a sliding scale, with insurance, Medicaid and Medicare accepted.

The GetTested details for the last four clinics come from the CDC's locator, not from the clinics' own pages, so confirm services and prices when you call. For a longer comparison of Dallas options and costs, see our guide to STD testing in Dallas: where to get tested and what it costs.

The CDC's GetTested locator can also help you compare clinics by service, cost and distance.

Free testing by mail

The Texas DSHS lists a free mailed self-testing program called Test for Texas for people 13 and older in Texas. DSHS says it covers HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, and that no insurance is needed. A self-test is a screening step. If a result is positive, or if you have symptoms, a clinician is still the one who confirms it and provides treatment.

Preventing syphilis

Research suggests that several habits lower the chance of getting or passing on syphilis. The CDC lists consistent and correct condom use, regular testing for people at increased risk, and open conversations with partners about testing. Condoms reduce risk but do not cover every sore, so they do not remove it.

The CDC's 2024 update on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) describes it as an option some clinicians discuss with certain people at higher risk of bacterial STIs, including syphilis. The county clinic page does not list doxy-PEP, so ask a clinician whether it fits your situation.

When to call a clinician

You notice a new sore, in any area, even if it does not hurt.
You have a new rash, especially on the palms or soles.
A partner has told you they tested positive for syphilis.
You are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, and have not had syphilis testing.
You were treated and have not had your follow-up blood test.

You do not need to feel certain about anything before you ask. A clinician can explain what a test can find and what it cannot, and can help you decide on next steps without judgment.

Key takeaways

Syphilis symptoms, including the rash, can be mild or missing, so testing is the reliable way to know.
Two kinds of blood test, treponemal and non-treponemal, work together.
Syphilis is curable. The CDC lists penicillin, prescribed by a clinician, as the preferred treatment for most people.
Follow-up blood tests show whether treatment is working.
Dallas County and Texas data show why local testing matters, and several Dallas clinics offer syphilis testing at free, sliding scale or low cost.

Syphilis in Dallas: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment