What is congenital syphilis (CS)?
I’m pregnant. Do I need to get tested for syphilis?
Yes. All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit (the first time you see your doctor for health care during pregnancy). SB 46 became Georgia law on July 1, 2023. This legislation revises current STI testing requirements for pregnant women in Georgia by requiring healthcare providers who care for a woman during pregnancy to perform HIV and syphilis testing at the first prenatal visit, 28-32 weeks gestation, and upon delivery.
Keep in mind that you can have syphilis and not know it. Many people with syphilis do not have any symptoms. Also, syphilis symptoms may be very mild, or be similar to signs of other health problems. The only way to know for sure if you have syphilis is to get tested.
Is there a treatment for syphilis?
Yes. Syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If you test positive for syphilis during pregnancy, be sure to get treatment right away.If you are diagnosed with and treated for syphilis, your doctor should do follow-up testing for at least one year to make sure that your treatment is working. Learn more.
How can congenital syphilis affect my baby?
Congenital Syphilis can cause:
- Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)
- Stillbirth (a baby born dead)
- Prematurity (a baby born early)
- Low birth weight, or
- Death shortly after birth
Babies born to women with untreated syphilis may be stillborn, or die from the infection as a newborn.
For babies born with congenital syphilis, it can cause:
- Deformed bones
- Severe anemia (low blood count)
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Brain and nerve problems, like blindness or deafness
- Meningitis, and
- Skin rashes
Reduce your risk of getting syphilis before and during your pregnancy
Preventing syphilis in women and their sex partners is the best way to prevent CS.
If you are sexually active, the following things can lower your chances of getting syphilis:
- Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for syphilis and does not have syphilis.
- Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex. Although condoms can prevent transmission of syphilis by preventing contact with a sore, you should know that sometimes syphilis sores occur in areas not covered by a condom, and contact with these sores can still transmit syphilis.
Also, talk with your doctor about your risk for syphilis. Have an open and honest conversation with your doctor about your sexual history and about STD testing. Your doctor can give you the best advice on any testing and treatment that you may need. Remember that it’s possible to get syphilis and not know it, because sometimes the infection causes no symptoms, only very mild symptoms, or symptoms that mimic other illnesses.
How do I get tested?
Cobb & Douglas Public Health offers STI testing at four convenient locations. Do not wait. Make an appointment online or call our main number: 770.514.2300 to schedule an appointment at any location!
Testing results are quick and confidential.
Cobb & Douglas Public Health offers STI testing and treatment at these convenient locations:
Acworth-Kennesaw Public Health Center | Marietta Public Health Center Building A | Douglas Public Health Center | Smyrna Public Health Center