Syphilis Infectious Disease Resources
Syphilis poses serious risks to women, pregnant people, and newborns. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to long-term complications such as infertility, neurological and cardiovascular disease, and increased vulnerability to HIV infection. During pregnancy, syphilis increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital infection. With rates of syphilis on the rise, nurses play a vital role in prevention through early screening, patient education, and timely treatment coordination.
Syphilis – Educating Your Patients
- Congenital Syphilis 101 Infographic (PDF)
- Congenital Syphilis Neonate Infographic (PDF)
- Congenital Syphilis Lab Infographic (PDF)
- ACOG Syphilis Screening Algorithm – Flowchart outlining when and how to test pregnant persons for syphilis.
- ACOG Screening for Syphilis in Pregnancy Practice Advisory – Recommendations for syphilis screening and treatment in pregnancy with links to additional information.
- CDC Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Treatment Guidelines 2021 – Evidence-based guidance on STI prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, including screening recommendations by disease and population.
- One dose of antibiotic treats early syphilis as well as three doses - NIH-funded study found a single dose of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) was as effective as the traditional three-dose regimen for treating early syphilis. (National Institutes of Health (NIH))
Updated August 2025
This project is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $100,360 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, the U.S. Government, or the CDC Foundation.
