Syphilis for Health Professionals
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Syphilis Information for Health Professionals
CDC Bicillin L-A Supply Issues - April 17, 2023
The CDC reported possible issues accessing enough penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A®) – the first-line recommended treatment for syphilis. The manufacturer anticipates the issue will be resolved in the next two months. Please review the Potential Access Challenges to Bicillin L-A (PDF) for more information.
Syphilis Is On the Rise
The new CDC: Preliminary 2021 Data: Syphilis highlights the urgency of continuously increasing reported cases of syphilis nationwide, and in Minnesota (Syphilis Outbreak Response and Case Counts). Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that if left untreated, can be harmful and cause serious long-term health consequences. All communities in Minnesota should be vigilant, recognize the presence of syphilis, and take steps to get the word out about screening and prevention.
New 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines
The CDC's 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines have been updated. For an overview of important changes, review the 2021 STI Treatment Guideline Highlights (PDF).
Information specific to health care providers regarding guidelines, treatment, testing, and reporting.
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).
Aid to diagnosis
- 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.
Treatment guidance
- 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.
- Dear Colleague: STD Letter (PDF)
COVID-19 response: updated guidance about sexually transmitted disease services in Minnesota, May 2020.
- Syphilis Testing and Treatment Protocol (PDF)
Sample protocol to aid in diagnosing and caring for patients with syphilis.
Revised February 2019.
Syphilis in Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis
- Syphilis in Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis
Information for health professionals on working with pregnant people.
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
Resources
- Reducing Syphilis Rates: A Health Care Provider's Role
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.