Health
First at-home syphilis antibody test gets FDA authorization as STD cases spike in US
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing authorization for the first at-home syphilis test.
The over-the-counter First To Know Syphilis Test, made by NOWDiagnostics in Arkansas, detects antibodies for Treponema pallidum (syphilis), according to a press release.
The test, which does not require a prescription, takes about 15 minutes to administer using only a drop of blood — “like a finger prick,” the company said.
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Results will be positive for those experiencing a current syphilis infection — as well as for those who have been previously diagnosed, even if they were successfully treated.
The test results are not sufficient to diagnose syphilis alone, however, and should be followed by additional testing from a provider to confirm the diagnosis, according to the FDA.
The First To Know Syphilis Test, pictured here, uses a blood sample to detect the infection. (NOWDx)
A clinical study of 1,270 people found the product “easy to use,” a press release from NOWDiagnostics noted.
The study results showed that the test correctly identified 99.5% of negative results and 93.4% of positive diagnoses.
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“With FDA authorization now granted, we are proud to offer the first test of its kind that provides highly accurate results in just minutes, using a single drop of blood and without the need for a buffer,” NOWDiagnostics CEO Rob Weigle told Fox News Digital via email.
“This breakthrough in diagnostic testing empowers individuals to take control of their health from the privacy of their own home, playing a critical role in early detection and treatment, and ultimately helping to slow the spread of syphilis and protect public health.”
“This is a great advance and has been vetted for accuracy,” one doctor commented. (NOWDx)
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier said she considers at-home tests to be “great,” as they often lead to more people being tested who would not otherwise visit the doctor.
“Anything that increases access to health information while also being cost-effective is a positive step in the right direction,” the New York-based doctor told Fox News Digital.
Efforts to stop the surge
There has been a major rise in syphilis cases in the U.S. over the last few years.
Cases spiked by 80% between 2018 and 2022, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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In 2022, more than 3,700 cases of congenital syphilis were reported among newborns, the agency stated.
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services established the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic (NSCSS) Federal Task Force to help combat the surging numbers.
Study results showed that the test correctly identified 99.5% of negative results and 93.4% of positive diagnoses. (iStock; NOWDx)
In addition to the task force, the FDA assured that the authorization of this new at-home test will help to “reverse the recent dramatic rise of STIs in the United States.”
“If left untreated, syphilis can seriously damage the heart and brain and can cause blindness, deafness and paralysis,” the FDA wrote in the press release.
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“When transmitted during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage, lifelong medical issues and infant death.”
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital that these advancements could also play into the CDC’s new program, DOXY PEP, which aims to prevent “post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.”
“When transmitted during pregnancy, [syphilis] can cause miscarriage, lifelong medical issues and infant death.”
The program has been shown to “markedly decrease clinical infection,” said New York-based Siegel.
Siegel called the new syphilis test “especially important,” as “the earlier syphilis exposure/diagnosis is made the better.”
The authorization of the new at-home test will help to “reverse the recent dramatic rise of STIs in the United States,” the FDA stated. (iStock)
Michelle Tarver, M.D., PhD, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, wrote in a statement that advancements in tests for STIs can “give patients more information about their health from the privacy of their own home.”
“Access to home tests may help increase initial screening for syphilis, including in individuals who may be reluctant to see their health care provider about possible sexually transmitted infection exposure,” she said.
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This can lead to increased lab testing to confirm the diagnosis, Tarver added, which can increase treatment and help curb the spread.
The FDA confirmed that false negative results may occur, which can cause delays in treatment and further spread of the infection. (iStock)
Saphier added that as syphilis cases rise, it’s “disappointing to see so many advanced cases of a disease that is otherwise treatable.”
“While prevention is always the best method, early detection and treatment intervention are essential to not only result in the best health outcome, but also decrease the overall cost burden on society — because advanced disease and disability are expensive,” she said.
Potential limitations
Saphier shared some concerns about using at-home tests in detecting illness, as they are “often lower in accuracy than standardized laboratory testing.”
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“This may result in false negative results and a person who otherwise may require treatment not seeking it,” she said.
“If someone is [at] high risk for syphilis exposure or having symptoms, they should skip the at-home testing and speak to their doctor.”
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The FDA confirmed that false negative results may occur, which could cause delays in treatment.
Congenital syphilis symptoms include sores and rashes on the skin, fever, jaundice, sneezing or runny nose and swollen spleen and liver, according to Mayo Clinic. (iStock)
“Results of the test alone should not be used to start, stop or change any treatments without a health care provider,” the FDA wrote in the press release.
“If someone is [at] high risk for syphilis exposure or having symptoms, they should skip the at-home testing and speak to their doctor.”
“In addition, individuals using this test who may have been recently exposed to syphilis should seek care from a health care provider for treatment and evaluation regardless of this test’s results.”
Congenital syphilis symptoms include sores and rashes on the skin, fever, jaundice, sneezing or runny nose, and swollen spleen and liver, according to Mayo Clinic’s website.
If left untreated, later symptoms can include hearing loss, dental problems and “saddle nose,” a condition in which the bridge of the nose collapses.
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The Great American State Fair was postponed Saturday after multiple people reportedly fainted the day before, forcing thousands of visitors to pivot during celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
Friday’s medical emergencies required onsite attention as crowds flocked to the nation’s capital for Independence Day.
The fair reopened later Friday evening but was postponed again Saturday.
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Fox News Digital asked attendees what it took to get to the capital and what they made of the closure.
“We are so blessed to live in the best country in the world,” Whitney Thomas, a mother from North Carolina who traveled with her family for the Great American State Fair, told Fox News Digital Friday.
An arch across the street from a 110-foot “Freedom 250” Ferris wheel during final preparations for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall June 22, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Despite the weather closure, she said her family was able to enjoy the State Fair Thursday evening and planned to wait out the heat in nearby museums until the fair reopened.
“I wanted my kids, who are 9 and 10, to be able to experience this with us,” she said.
“You cannot tell me that America was won by shutting things down when it gets hot.”
Brad Shultis, a retired Marine who traveled from Stafford, Virginia, expressed frustration over the decision to halt festivities.
“You cannot tell me that America was won by shutting things down when it gets hot,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“It gets hot, and we shut it down because it’s hot? Who cares? If it’s too hot, stay home.”
Shultis noted that he drove to Springfield and took the Metro just to be turned away right after buying lunch. He questioned the decision to shut down the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, arguing that if people find the weather too hot, they should simply stay home or seek medical help rather than forcing a mass evacuation for those who spent time and money to get there.
Whitney Thomas brought her children with her from North Carolina to Washington to experience the historic event as a family. (Fox News Digital)
Wendy Lamb, who traveled eight hours from Connecticut with her family to support the state’s booth, noted that organizers were likely worried about the intense conditions and simply did not want visitors to suffer.
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While disappointed that her home state did not send official representation due to budget issues, Lamb and her fellow travelers refused to let the heat ruin their first trip to Washington, D.C.
“We’ve had a really, really fun time so far,” added John, another member of the group.
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He said they plan to navigate the heat by moving from museum to museum and using the Metro system to stay cool until the gates reopen.
For these visitors, the setback was minor compared to the emotional weight of seeing the U.S. Capitol and the Rotunda.
Judy drove with her family from Connecticut to support the state after officials withdrew support prior to the fair opening. (Fox News Digital)
“I mean, we are so fortunate we are free, and yet we have people out there that hate our country. … it’s very emotional,” said Pat Lamb, who fanned her face to stop tears welling in her eyes as she described the pride she felt for the nation.
The decision to close the fairgrounds aligns with severe weather protocols designed to prevent mass casualty medical events.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat can quickly impair the body’s ability to cool itself, causing internal temperatures to rise faster than they can dissipate.
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When exposure to extreme conditions triggers a heat-related illness, symptoms can escalate rapidly from heat exhaustion — marked by heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and fainting — to a life-threatening medical emergency, according to the CDC.
Brad Shultis, a veteran, was turned away just after lunch due to extreme heat at The Great American State Fair. (Fox News Digital)
The most severe risk is heat stroke, which occurs when the body’s cooling mechanism fails entirely, potentially driving core body temperatures to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within minutes.
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To prevent severe complications like permanent organ damage or death, the CDC advises that anyone exhibiting warning signs such as confusion, slurred speech or a loss of consciousness should receive immediate medical treatment.
Public health officials urge individuals in high-heat environments to seek shade, stay heavily hydrated and identify air-conditioned cooling centers.
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Many of the American colonists’ eating habits have made a comeback in recent years. They ate minimally processed, locally sourced whole foods and regularly incorporated organ meats into their meals.
Livestock and many Old World crops had already been introduced to North America by European explorers and settlers during the centuries before the nation’s founding.
Early settlers adapted European cooking traditions using ingredients available in North America, the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) reported.
Indigenous peoples introduced corn to the colonists, and it became a core ingredient in many of their recipes. Beans, squash, and potatoes were among the other crops that became incorporated into colonial cooking, according to the CSPC.
“Cornmeal appeared in dishes such as hasty pudding — a thick porridge similar to polenta — and johnnycakes, simple griddle cakes that were popular from New England to the South,” History Facts reported.
Cornmeal Johnnycakes, roast pork and cream cheese are distinctly early-American foods the CSPC has recipes for on its website.
Corn became a staple of early colonists’ diets after Indigenous peoples introduced the crop to the settlers and taught them how to cultivate it. (iStock)
Regional customs and crops greatly influenced what the colonists ate. Rice and okra grew well and were plentiful in the South, where French and African influences also shaped eating habits.
Dutch, English and German immigrants largely settled in the north and established the region’s culinary traditions.
Seafood such as rockfish and crab dominated the diets of early Maryland settlers, NPR reported.
Meat was a status symbol, local food historian Joyce White told the publication. Beef was prized, and chicken was often saved for egg production.
“If it’s your pig or cow coming from your plantation, you don’t want to waste it,” White said.
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Thomas Jefferson was known for his decadent tastes and a fondness for French wine and macaroni and cheese. Records show that black-eyed peas, turnip greens and ham were also part of the Founding Father’s diet.
Salted and preserved fish and meats, including bacon, sausage, liver pudding and offal, were staples of working-class people’s diets, while the upper classes indulged in such luxuries as white flour and sugar.
Interest in these traditional foods has resurfaced in recent years as some Americans seek diets centered on whole, minimally processed ingredients.
Founding Father Thomas Jefferson was known for his continental tastes and enjoyed French wine and macaroni and cheese. (iStock)
Advocates of the Make America Healthy Again movement, for instance, have promoted organ meats, or offal, as some of the cheapest and most nutrient-dense foods people can eat.
Stews that evolved as ingredients became available were also common an America’s early days.
The amount of alcohol the colonists consumed was “staggering,” Adrian Miller, author of “The President’s Kitchen Cabinet,” told NPR.
“They were very open about how much they were drinking,” he said.
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George Washington wrote a recipe for “small beer” in a journal he kept as a young colonel in charge of the Virginia militia during the Seven Years’ War, Fox News Digital previously reported. The New York Public Library houses the journal.
“Small beer,” according to the library, derives its name from the small amount of alcohol it contains. It was quick to make, safer to drink because the brewing process helped eliminate bacteria in the water — and it was an “everyday, mainstay beverage,” the library reported.
“While the 1776 Diet has some positives — such as emphasizing whole foods, home cooking and fewer ultra-processed foods — it’s not one I’d recommend following too literally,” registered dietician Lisa R. Young, adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University, told Fox News Digital.
Working-class colonists would often save chickens for their eggs, rather than consuming their meat. (iStock)
“Colonial Americans often ate foods like salted ham, organ meats and other preserved meats out of necessity,” she said. “Today, we know it’s best to limit processed and cured meats because they’re high in sodium and saturated fat, and organ meats, while nutrient-dense, are best eaten in moderation due to their high cholesterol content.”
Focus on the healthiest aspects of the 1776 diet, Young recommended. That includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, fish and lean proteins.
“Of course, you can emulate the Founding Fathers’ diet for the week of the 250th anniversary,” she said. “What you eat for a day or a week won’t matter much in the scheme of things.”
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Some of the Founding Fathers drank a lot of ale, often in the morning, Young noted.
“We shouldn’t emulate that,” she said.
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Fireworks have been a quintessential part of Fourth of July celebrations across the nation for generations.
But as Independence Day festivities light up the night sky, the colorful displays can also pose serious health risks — especially to the lungs.
Nearly 300 million pounds of fireworks are released into the atmosphere each year in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association. This creates smoke filled with tiny particles, as well as gases like sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which are “very harmful to our lungs.”
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The smoke from fireworks can also release harmful metals, like aluminum, manganese and cadmium, into the air.
Some illegal fireworks may contain lead, which the association describes as “extremely dangerous” due to its potential to cause lasting health damage.
Attendees watch the Independence Day fireworks display along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“Inhaling any of these chemicals can irritate the lungs, making it hard to breathe and causing serious health problems, which is why it is important to avoid firework smoke whenever possible,” the group said in a public advisory.
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Air pollution levels increase by an average of 42% on the Fourth of July, according to a 2015 study.
Smoke from fireworks can worsen symptoms and cause flare-ups in those who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Fine particle pollution has also been linked to more serious health consequences, including heart attacks, stroke, lung cancer and premature death, according to the American Lung Association.
The organization warned that children, older adults and pregnant women, as well as people with lung and heart disease, are especially vulnerable.
Smoke from fireworks can worsen symptoms and cause flare-ups in those who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (iStock)
Dr. Afif El-Hasan, member of the Lung Association’s board of directors, shared some advice for high-risk fireworks spectators in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Instead of using fireworks at home, El-Hasan recommends watching them from a distance.
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People with asthma who use a rescue inhaler should keep it close at hand in case fireworks trigger wheezing or other symptoms, the expert advised. Wearing a well-fitting N95 mask can also help reduce exposure to fine particles from fireworks smoke and debris.
“If you are familiar with the area and the wind patterns, try to be upwind from the fireworks display and avoid areas where smoke may accumulate,” he said.
An expert recommends watching fireworks from a distance to avoid exposure to air pollution. (iStock)
The expert also recommends attending fireworks events with friends or family, so someone is available to help if a medical emergency arises.
“Make sure you have taken all of your preventative medication before a fireworks show,” El-Hasan advised. “If possible, take a car to the fireworks display. Try to park as close as possible to the event in case you have to get to the car quickly.”
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The expert also recommends drinking water immediately after the show to clear the upper airway. Changing and washing clothes upon returning home can also help to prevent smoke particles from accumulating in the home.
If case of shortness of breath or chest pain, it’s important to seek medical care immediately.
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