Protect Your Baby. Get Tested for Syphilis

Syphilis is an infection mothers can pass to their babies during pregnancy. It can make babies very sick, cause ongoing health issues, and in some cases, lead to death. When syphilis is passed from the mother to the baby it is called congenital syphilis.

Getting Tested for Syphilis

You may not know you have syphilis. Anyone who is sexually active can get syphilis. Many people with syphilis do not have symptoms. The only way to know if you have syphilis is to get tested.

It is recommended that pregnant women get tested for syphilis 3 times during their pregnancy.

At your first doctors visit after finding out you are pregnant or as soon as possible during pregnancy.
During your third trimester
At the hospital after having your baby

Even if you’ve been tested for syphilis in the past, you should be tested when you become pregnant. If you have syphilis, it is treatable with the right medications. Your sexual partners also need to be tested and treated in the result of a positive test, or you may be at risk of getting syphilis again.

It is possible to get syphilis late in your pregnancy or to get it again after getting it treated, so you should get tested when you are around 28 weeks pregnant and again after delivery of your baby.

Syphilis Treatment

Quick treatment of syphilis can protect your baby from congenital syphilis.

To make sure your baby does not get syphilis, it is important to get medication as soon as possible. Sometimes your medication can be given one time right when you find out you have syphilis. Other times, you may have to go to a different doctor or get multiple doses. Talk to your doctor or health care professional about any questions or concerns you have about getting treated for syphilis.

For more information about syphilis, click here.

For more information about congenital syphilis (CS), click here.