Show All Questions and Answers | Show Questions Only

• What is congenital syphilis?

  Congenital syphilis (CS) is when a baby is born with syphilis. This happens when the bacteria that cause syphilis pass from a pregnant person with syphilis to the baby during pregnancy or delivery.

  If you are pregnant, you can prevent congenital syphilis and protect your baby by getting tested for syphilis and, if you have syphilis, getting treated right away with antibiotics.

   

• How can congenital syphilis affect your baby?

  If you have syphilis while you are pregnant and do not get treated, it can cause problems for your baby. 

  Congenital syphilis can cause:

  • Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)
    
  • Stillbirth (the baby is born dead)
  • Prematurity (the baby is born early)
  • Low birth weight
  • Death shortly after birth
    
    

  Babies born with syphilis can have:

  • Abnormal bones or teeth
    
  • Anemia (not enough red blood cells)
  • Large liver 
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • Nerve problems, like loss of hearing or vision
  • Meningitis (an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord)
  • Skin rashes

   

• How can you prevent your baby from getting congenital syphilis?

  Congenital syphilis can be prevented by identifying and treating the infection during your pregnancy. If you are diagnosed with syphilis you will need to be treated right away to reduce the risk of congenital syphilis and other serious health complications.

  You should be tested for syphilis 3 times during your pregnancy:

  1. At your first prenatal visit 
  2. Early in your third trimester (around 28-32 weeks)
  3. At delivery

   

• How is syphilis treated?

  Syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics, even during pregnancy. The earlier the infection is identified and treated, the better!

  Congenital syphilis can also be treated and cured if your baby is still alive after delivery. Babies born with syphilis need to be treated right away or they may develop serious health problems. Babies are treated with antibiotics in a hospital for 10 days, and in some cases only need one dose of antibiotics.

  Partner Testing and Treatment is also important. Your sex partner(s) need to get tested and treated too. This will:

  • Help them stay healthy
  • Prevent them from infecting others
  • Prevent you from getting the infection again