I treat on average one or two people a day for syphilis. Yesterday was five lol.
There's been an injectable penicillin shortage for over a year now, which is the most efficacious way to treat syphilis (also the most painful). Doxycycline remains effective against the organism still, too, but there are concerns about how long that will remain the case, as doxy is starting to see widespread usage as STI prophylaxis and/or acne treatment, as well as being given to anyone who needs syphilis treatment who doesn't qualify to receive the penicillin.
It can take up to nine months after contracting syphilis for it to show up in blood testing (rare but possible). During that time you are able to transmit it to others. It is possible to remain completely asymptomatic long enough until the disease enters your nervous system, at which point you need treatment ASAP or you will suffer horrible neurological effects.
If you have one sexual partner, testing once a year if asymptomatic should be fine. If you have multiple partners you should get tested every three months. If you have a penis, wear a fucking condom because people with penises are a huge contributor to the intractability of the syphilis problem in Texas.
It'd be nice if some of this stuff was taught in schools lmao