Syphilis Resources for Providers

News Releases and Memos

News Release (2/21/24): North Carolina Leads the Way in Expanding Access to Treatment for Syphilis

News Release (12/15/23): North Carolina Joins Southeastern States in Partnership to Combat the Surge in Congenital Syphilis Infections

Provider Memo (11/9/23): Continued Rise in Female and Congenital Syphilis Infections

Your Role as a Provider

As a clinician, you play an important role in preventing syphilis and congenital syphilis. Here's how you can do your part:

• Know the signs and symptoms so you can identity syphilis infections. See examples of signs of syphilis.
• Complete a sexual health history for all your patients.
• Test sexually active MSM, including those with HIV infection, at least annually, and as frequently as every 3 to 6 months if there are multiple sex partners or substance use.
• Test all pregnant women at the first prenatal visit, between 28-30 weeks gestation, and at delivery (this is required by NC state law), and know the mother’s delivery test results before discharging the newborn.
• Treat patients with syphilis immediately and per the CDC STI treatment guidelines. If you do not have access to benzathine penicillin, contact your local health department immediately.
• Advise your patients to notify all sex partners of their exposure to prevent re-infection. People can anonymously notify sex partners using TellYourPartner.org.
• Immediately report syphilis and congenital syphilis infections to Public Health.

Information Specific to Congenital Syphilis 

Congenital syphilis is preventable by early detection and rapid treatment of the mother's infection. All pregnant women should be screened at least three times during pregnancy, irrespective of clinical signs (syphilis can be asymptomatic) or perceived risk.

Screenings Required By Law

North Carolina public health law requires healthcare providers screen all pregnant women for syphilis:

• at the first prenatal visit, and
• between 28-30 weeks’ gestation, and
• at delivery. 

North Carolina Case Review Findings

Findings from a review of congenital syphilis cases in North Carolina from 2016 to 2022 indicate infants end up with congenital syphilis when:

• There is no or late entry of pregnant women into prenatal care.
• There was prenatal care but incomplete syphilis testing during pregnancy.
• Mother received delayed, no, or inadequate treatment for her stage of syphilis infection.
• The exposed newborn was not appropriately evaluated or treated at birth for congenital syphilis.

Materials to Share

Find social media graphics, brochures, flyers, posters, rack cards and more:

Get Free Materials