Pierce County has experienced a marked rise in congenital syphilis cases, with 14 cases each of the last 3 years. Each case of congenital syphilis is a tragedy—we need your help to eliminate congenital syphilis in Pierce County.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Washington Department of Health, and the Washington Healthcare Authority have released new guidance on syphilis testing for pregnant people. All pregnant people should receive syphilis testing three times during each pregnancy.
Additionally, if a pregnant person has not already received testing through prenatal care, please test for syphilis in other care settings (e.g., emergency department visits, urgent care visits, correctional settings, substance use treatment programs, etc.).
What you should do
- All pregnant people should receive syphilis testing 3 times during pregnancy:
- At first prenatal care visit.
- At 24–28 weeks gestation (early third trimester).
- At delivery.
- For pregnant people with limited, no, or unknown prenatal care, provide syphilis testing whenever they seek medical care. This includes visits to emergency departments, urgent care, substance use treatment programs, syringe service programs, and in correctional facilities.
- Provide immediate treatment (following CDC’s STI treatment guidelines) to people who:
- Test positive for syphilis,[1] ORReport sexual exposure to syphilis, even before receiving lab results, OR
- Have symptoms of primary or secondary syphilis.
- Screen all pregnant people for other perinatally transmitted infections (HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C).
Report suspected or confirmed cases of syphilis to the Health Department within 3 days.
- Fax an STI report form to (253) 649-1389. For more information, see our STI page.
- Contact our STI/HIV program if you need help or have questions.
Resources
- Challenges and missed opportunities—including systemic racism—for testing pregnant people for syphilis. (CDC)
- Syphilis information for providers. (TPCHD)
Syphilis information for public health providers. (Washington State Department of Health)
Syphilis treatment guidelines. (CDC).
[1] People with previously treated syphilis can have persistently positive treponemal and non-treponemal tests. Our staff are happy to assist in reviewing patients’ history and lab results to determine if re-treatment for suspected reinfection is warranted.