Title
Syphilis
Intro
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.
January 30, 2024 Dear Colleague Letter – Syphilis (PDF | 270 KB).
May 15, 2024 Dear Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Directors – Syphilis (PDF | 318 KB)
For questions regarding the use of SAMHSA grant funds to address the syphilis syndemic, please email syphilisFAQ@samhsa.hhs.gov.
Body
Strategic Plans and Calls to Action
- 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
- About Syphilis
- Take Charge of Your Sexual Health: What you need to know about preventive services
- HHS Resources on Sexually Transmitted Infections
Training
- National Network of STD Prevention Training Centers
- National STD Curriculum
- NNPTC’s Clinical Consultation Network for licensed healthcare professionals and STD program staff
- Integrating Syphilis Programming Into Behavioral Healthcare Settings (One hour, 28 minutes): A webinar on SAMHSA’s funding and resources to address the syphilis syndemic and a detailed examination of congenital syphilis including an overview of syphilis (causes, transmission, stages), diagnosis and treatment options, trends, and resources that medical providers and behavioral health practitioners may use to meet the needs of individuals seeking services.
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
- About Congenital Syphilis
- Blog: Effective Public Health Approaches to Reducing Congenital Syphilis
- 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
Last Updated
Last Updated: 01/31/2024