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
- Reporting a Case of Syphilis
- Getting Tested for Syphilis
Syphilis in the News
- Dear Collegue: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) requests that you take a sexual history screen for syphilis, provide prevention counseling, and solicit partners when appropriate for all your male patients in light of an alarming 87 percent increase in early syphilis cases. Dated 02/2010. (PDF: 32KB/1 page)
- Dear Collegue: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) would like to alert you to a 31 percent increase in new syphilis cases for 2010 compared to the same time period last year. Dated 9/27/2010. (PDF: 33KB/1 page)
- Medical Management of Syphilis and HIV Co-infection: An evening with Dr Tony Mills, October 2010
- Syphilis and Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) - 2009 Data (PDF: 114KB/20 pages)
Efforts must continue to stop early syphilis increases among MSM - 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
- 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.
External Links
inSPOT Minnesota - internet partner self-referral
Stop Syphilis Minnesota
A program of the Hennepin County Public Health Clinic – Red Door Services, this site offers syphilis and HIV testing and education for adult gay and bisexual men. Attention: Non-MDH link
Toll-free hotline for confidential information about the prevention, testing locations and treatment of STDs in Minnesota (1-800-78-FACTS).
CDC Syphilis Elimination Project
This is the home for the federal effort to eliminate syphilis.
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
