Syphilis

Syphilis is a serious sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Once syphilis enters the body, it can damage organs and the nervous system. Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.

• STD Facts: Syphilis
• Resources for Clinicians
• Syphilis Statistics and Reports
• Getting Tested for Syphilis
• Reporting a Case of Syphilis
  • STD Case Reporting Instructions
    
  • Frequently Asked Questions about STD Reporting
    
  • Disease Reporting Rules

Syphilis in the News

• Health Notice: 40% Increase in Early Syphilis Cases in Minnesota in 2008 (PDF: 35KB/1 page) Feburary 2009
• Dear Colleague Letter: February 2009 (PDF: 33KB/1 page)
• News Release: February 2009
  
  
• National STD Awareness Month
  Tip sheets on how to plan activities for National STD Awareness Month developed by the MDH.
  

Syphilis Basics

• STD Facts: Syphilis
• Important Information for You and Your Partner
  This brochure is designed to help those infected with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea to notify their sexual partners about their potential exposure. The brochure may be downloaded for duplication purposes.
• STD/HIV Partner Services Program assists HIV or STD infected persons notify their partners about their potential exposure. Includes a brochure may be downloaded for duplication purposes.
• Syphilis: What you should know, what you can do (Brochure - PDF: 1MB/2 pages)
• For Persons Who Have Been Sexually Assaulted - Information You Should Know About STDs
  For those who may have been sexually assaulted, this brochure provides guidelines on being tested for HIV and other STDs. The brochure may be downloaded for duplication purposes.
  

External Links

• Syphilis Disease Information
  CDC overview of syphilis: signs and symptoms, transmission, complications, prevention and treatment. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
• Information To Live By: Syphilis
  American Social Health Association overview of syphilis: signs and symptoms, transmission, complications, prevention and treatment. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
• STD Treatment Guidelines
  CDC’s latest treatment guidelines for STDs. Attention: Non-MDH link
• inSPOT Minnesota - internet partner self-referral Attention: Non-MDH link
• STD Image Library
  Image library of STD symptoms developed by the CDC. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
• Minnesota Family Planning and STD Hotline
  Toll-free hotline for confidential information about the prevention, testing locations and treatment of STDs in Minnesota (1-800-78-FACTS). Attention: Non-MDH link
• Programs to Prevent and Reduce the Risks of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases: Minnesota Statute § 121A.23 for STD/HIV Education in Schools
  Statute requiring HIV and STD education to be provided in the classroom within Minnesota’s school districts.
  
• Refugee Health Exam
  MDH recommendations regarding examination and STD screenings completed in the state of a refugee's initial arrival in the United States.
  
• Risk Factors for Progressive Hearing Loss for Infants
  MDH listing of related factors for the loss of hearing in infants including mother's infections during pregnancy, such as herpes and syphilis.
  
• Risk Factors for Hearing Loss at Birth
  MDH listing of related factors for the loss of hearing in infants including mother's infections during pregnancy, such as herpes and syphilis.

Content Notice: This site contains HIV or STD prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV and other STDs are spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this web site.

If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 612-676-5653) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.