Syphilis Resource List
Cases of syphilis and congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from a birthing person to a fetus) have risen dramatically and continue to rise. Left untreated, these diseases can be devastating. Syphilis can cause serious heart and brain damage, blindness, deafness, and paralysis. Congenital syphilis can cause stillbirth, miscarriage, lifelong disability, and infant death.1
Title X providers can use the free online resources below to learn about syphilis and congenital syphilis, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. There are resources for administrators, clinical services providers, and other staff.
Syphilis Overview
About Syphilis
This website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a short overview of syphilis signs and symptoms, risk factors, how it spreads, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. It’s about a 3-minute read.
About Congenital Syphilis
This CDC website provides a short overview of congenital syphilis signs and symptoms, risk factors, how it spreads, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. It’s about a 3-minute read.
Syphilis: Pocket Guide for Providers
This printable guide from CDC provides an overview of syphilis prevention and treatment for clinical services providers and staff.
Understanding Syphilis
This 4-minute video provides an overview of syphilis stages, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Presented by Dr. Kevin Ard of Mass General Brigham Hospital.
Syphilis Deep Dives
National STD Curriculum Lecture Series: Syphilis
This 73-minute recorded lecture dives deep into the epidemiology, signs and symptoms, testing, diagnosis, and treatment of syphilis. Presented by Dr. Khalil Ghanem, Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
National STD Curriculum Module: Syphilis Overview
This self-study lesson dives even deeper into the epidemiology, signs and symptoms, testing, diagnosis, and management of syphilis. Free CE available. It takes about 2 hours.
Programmatic Support for Syphilis Screening
Clinical Protocol Template: Syphilis Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment, 2024
This protocol template from the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) provides step-by-step guidance for integrating syphilis testing, diagnosis, and treatment into family planning settings. Family planning providers can use it as a jumping off point for developing their own protocols.
Traditional Algorithm for Syphilis Screening
This job aid from the Clinical Training Center for Sexual + Reproductive Health (CTC-SRH) provides step-by-step guidance on how and when to use the traditional algorithm for syphilis screening.
Reverse Algorithm for Syphilis Screening
This CTC-SRH job aid provides step-by-step guidance on how and when to use the reverse algorithm for syphilis screening.
Recommendations for Providing Quality Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinical Services, 2020
This report provides CDC’s recommendations regarding quality clinical services for sexually transmitted diseases (STD, also known as sexually transmitted infections or STI) for primary care and STD specialty care settings. These recommendations might also help in the development of clinic-level policies (e.g., standing orders, express visits, specimen panels, and reflex testing) that facilitate implementation of the STD Guidelines.
Syphilis in Pregnancy and Prevention of Congenital Syphilis
National STD Curriculum Podcast - Congenital Syphilis and Syphilis in Women
This 11-minute podcast reviews the rise of syphilis among women in the U.S., explains missed opportunities contributing to the rise in congenital syphilis, outlines program and policy changes that can help prevent new cases, and describes creative interventions from around the country.
Practice Advisory: Screening for Syphilis in Pregnancy
This practice advisory from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) outlines updated recommendations regarding screening for syphilis in pregnancy.
Syphilis in Babies Reflects Health System Failures Report and Video
This short CDC report reviews congenital syphilis in the U.S. and outlines strategies to address missed prevention opportunities during pregnancy. A 3-minute video summarizing the report is also available.
Clinical Guidelines and Resources
Clinical Training Center for Sexual + Reproductive Health
The CTC-SRH has resources for clinicians who want more information about syphilis and congenital syphilis screening, diagnosis, and management.
STD Clinical Consultation Network
The STD Clinical Consultation Network is a free clinical consultation service provided by expert faculty at regional STD Prevention Training Centers, as part of the National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers. It is available to licensed health care professionals and STD program staff.
Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021
These CDC guidelines are designed to help physicians and other health care providers prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections (STI). The guidelines focus on treatment but also discuss prevention strategies and diagnostic recommendations.
References
1CDC. Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/default.htm
This webpage was supported by the Office on Women’s Health (Grant ASTWH200090). The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
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