Syphilis

Syphilis is a chronic bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI); the syphilis syndemic refers to the clustering of syphilis, congenital syphilis, substance use disorder, mental illness, and other STIs including HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. SAMHSA has issued a Dear Colleagues letter about the use of grant funds to address the syphilis syndemic. Please refer to the list of resources below for additional information.

Strategic Plans and Calls to Action

• Syphilis Call to Action
• Let’s Work Together to Stem the Tide of Rising Syphilis in the United States (PDF | 2.8 MB)
• STI National Strategic Plan Overview
• STI National Strategic Plan 2021-2025 Toolkit
• National Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee Strategic Initiatives
• Rationale and Strategy for Action on the Global Elimination of Congenital Syphilis

General Facts and Information

• Syphilis Facts and Brochures
• Syphilis & MSM Facts
• Take Charge of Your Sexual Health: What you need to know about preventive services
• HHS Resources on Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and Other HIV Prevention Strategies

Training

• National Network of STD Prevention Training Centers
• National STD Curriculum
• NNPTC’s Clinical Consultation Network for licensed healthcare professionals and STD program staff

Screening, Testing, and Treatment

• STI Treatment Guidelines
• Guidelines and Best Practices and STD Treatment (Tx) Guide App
• CDC STI Screening Recommendations
• CDC's National HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Testing
• CDC Prenatal Syphilis Screening Laws by state or jurisdiction.
• Screening Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adults and Adolescents
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force STI Screening Recommendations for Syphilis Infections in Nonpregnant Adolescents and Adults
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force STI Screening Recommendations for Syphilis Infection in Pregnant Persons
• Provider Resources to STI Treatment: Mobile App; Wall Chart; Pocket Guide
• Clinical Reminders during Bicillin L-A® Shortage

At-risk Populations

• CDC Map of counties at higher risk of syphilis
• Evidence-Based Toolkits for Rural Community Health
• Why Syphilis Matters - Indian Country:
• Reduce the syphilis rate in females
• Reduce the syphilis rate in men who have sex with men

Pregnancy

• What Pregnant Women Can Do
• STDs and Pregnancy Facts (Spanish Version)
• Congenital Syphilis Fact Sheet
• Communicating New Congenital Syphilis Guidelines
• Mother-to-child Transmission of Syphilis

People Impacted by the Criminal Justice System

• CDC Guidance and Resources for Correctional Settings
• Testing, Vaccination, and Treatment Recommendations for Correctional and Detention Settings
• Recommendations for Correctional and Detention Settings for Pregnant Persons
• Syndemic Approach to STD 340B Correctional Facility Partnerships for Health Department Programs (PDF | 372 KB)
• Section 318 of the Public Health Service Act