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Syphilis Information for Health Professionals
General information about syphilis, including fact sheets, symptoms, complications, and treatment.
Updated Syphilis Recommendations
MDH now recommends that all individuals aged 18-49 years be screened for syphilis at least once as part of routine health care. Review Syphilis Screening Recommendations for Nonpregnant People (PDF) for more information.
Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine) Shortage Update
The FDA has listed penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension products (Bicillin L-A®) on the FDA Drug Shortages webpage, noting limited supply due to increased demand. The FDA website includes an expected duration for the shortage. CDC continues to monitor the situation and will post updates as needed.
Updated Pregnancy Syphilis Recommendations
MDH now recommends that all pregnant people should be screened three times during pregnancy. Providers can review the 2024 Pregnancy Syphilis Screening Recommendations (PDF), the Congenital Syphilis Provider Recommendations Letter (PDF), and the Pregnancy Syphilis Screening and Treatment Guide (PDF) for more information.
On this page:
Case definition
Aid to Diagnosis
Treatment guidance
Syphilis in Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis
Ocular Syphilis
Reporting
News
Additional Resources
Case definition
- CDC: Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) Case Definitions
Current case definition for Syphilis (Treponema pallidum).
Screening and Treatment
- Syphilis Screening Recommendations for Nonpregnant People (PDF)
Current MDH syphilis screening recommendations, considerations, and FAQs for nonpregnant people. - Syphilis: Aid to Diagnosis
These images are intended to help health care professionals identify and diagnose syphilis. We do not suggest proceeding unless you are a health care professional who needs to see such images. - Pregnancy Syphilis Screening and Treatment Guide (PDF)
Resource for health care providers to assist with screening and treatment of pregnant people for congenital syphilis. - CDC: STI Treatment Guidelines
Guidelines for treatment of people who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted infections. The STI Treatment Guidelines are also available as a mobile app for download on both Apple and Android. Check out your device's app store for more information.
Syphilis in Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis
- Syphilis in Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis
Information for health professionals on working with pregnant people. - Pregnancy Syphilis Screening Recommendations and FAQs (PDF)
Updated congenital syphilis screening recommendations, considerations, and FAQs. - Congenital Syphilis Provider Recommendations Letter (PDF)
Notice for health care providers with detailed information on the updated congenital syphilis screening recommendations, endorsed by the Minnesota Affiliate of American College of Nurse-Midwives, the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, and the Minnesota Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Ocular Syphilis
- Clinical Advisory: Ocular Syphilis in the United States: CDC
CDC information for clinicians about ocular syphilis and screening for visual complaints in any patient at risk for syphilis. - Notes from the Field: A Cluster of Ocular Syphilis Cases — Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco, California, 2014–2015: CDC
CDC MMWR, October 16, 2015.
Reporting
- Reporting Syphilis (lab-confirmed cases)
Lab-confirmed cases of Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) must be reported to MDH within one working day.
Confidential STD Case Report Form | FAQs about STD & HIV Reporting
Training materials
- 2022 Minnesota Syphilis Virtual Learning Series
This is a FREE virtual learning sessions addressing syphilis prevention, screening, and treatment. - Self-Study STD Modules for Clinicians - Syphilis (CDC)
Web-based training designed to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of syphilis. Continuing education credits available. - STD and HIV Training and Resources
Free online CE training modules, capacity-building resources, Minnesota-specific trainings, and more.
News
- Revised Syphilis Screening Recommendations for Pregnant Women (PDF)
MDH letter to prenatal, perinatal, and pediatric health care providers.
February 15, 2019
Additional Resources
- Letter to Providers: Syphilis Screening Recommendations (PDF)
Notice for health care providers with additional context about MDH's updated syphilis screening recommendations for nonpregnant people. - Reducing Syphilis Rates: A Health Care Provider's Role: CDC
This CDC video walks health care providers through the three key actions that they can take to help reverse the rising syphilis rates: Talk, Test, and Treat. - STD Information for Health Providers
Health notices, information on reporting and treating STDs, expedited partner therapy (EPT), and other tools and resources. - Refugee Health Provider Resources
Clinical resources for health professionals who administer and coordinate the refugee health assessment exam, including forms for health screening, population-specific medical information, and an online refugee health CME module. - What Healthcare Providers Can Do: CDC
This CDC page contains information on testing recommendations and includes key steps providers can take to reduce syphilis rates among highly impacted populations.