Syphilis is an infection that is completely preventable and treatable. Syphilis can be passed onto your baby if you do not get treated, this is known as congenital syphilis. If you're pregnant and have syphilis, get treated right away.
Planning Pregnancy
Get screened. It is important to get screened before pregnancy for not only syphilis, but all other sexually transmitted infections to prevent any transmission of infections to your baby.
Avoid substance use. Any consumption of alcohol, drugs, or smoking can harm your baby which can lead to miscarriages, and stillbirth.
Ask your partner to get tested and treated. If you or your partner had syphilis, reinfection can occur if both you and your partner have not been treated. All medication must be taken, even if you think the signs or symptoms are completely gone. After treatment, both you and your partners should wait 7 days to continue any sexual activity.
During Pregnancy
Seek Prenatal Care. Prenatal care is important to both you and your baby's health. Your provider can monitor both of your health throughout your pregnancy.
- first prenatal screening
- third trimester (28 weeks), and
- at delivery
Get Treated. Pregnant people with syphilis need to be treated right away to prevent passing syphilis to your baby. The required treatment is benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units IM. Depending on the stage of syphilis, treatment may require 3 injections at 1-week intervals. Failure to complete treatment exactly 7 days apart will be considered inadequate and will have to restart treatment series. For any questions, you have regarding treatment, please reach out to your health care provider.
Labor & Delivery
Continue to Get Tested. At delivery, both you and your baby should be tested to make sure syphilis has not been passed to your baby.
After the Baby is Born
Follow-Up Testing: Complete follow up testing for both parent and baby.
Treatment: Evaluative tests may be performed to ensure the baby’s health is not impacted by any exposure to syphilis. Newborns born to parents with untreated syphilis or abnormal evaluative results will receive treatment.
Follow-Up Care: Regular follow-up appointments for both the parent and baby are important to monitor parent and child health, to ensure treatment is effective, and to address any questions or concerns.
Resources
Facilities
Main Health Facilities Center
2525 Grand Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: (562) 570-4000
Multi-Service Center for the Homeless »
1301 West 12th Street
Long Beach, CA 90813
Phone: (562) 570-4500
Fax: (562) 570-8234
Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center - Center for Family and Youth »
6335 Myrtle Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805
Phone: (562) 570-3300
Fax: (562) 570-3306
Other Facilities »
