A Timeline for Managing Syphilis in Pregnancy

From Diagnosis to Delivery: A Timeline for Managing Syphilis in Pregnancy

Syphilis during pregnancy is a growing concern, with cases among expectant mothers increasing significantly in recent years.

Between 2016 and 2022, rates of maternal syphilis in the U.S. rose from 87.2 to 280.4 cases per 100,000 live births. This sharp increase highlights the importance of early detection and treatment to protect both you and your baby.

The good news is that, with timely treatment and proper care, most women can successfully navigate syphilis and have a healthy pregnancy. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to manage syphilis in pregnancy.

Understanding Syphilis During Pregnancy

Syphilis is a bacterial infection primarily spread through sexual contact. Discovering syphilis while pregnant may seem like a daunting challenge. However, with proper care, it’s often a straightforward issue to resolve.

On the other hand, untreated syphilis poses serious health risks for your baby. It can significantly increase the risk of miscarriage, as well as other birth complications.

Syphilis can also pass from the mother to her baby through the placenta, leading to a congenital syphilis infection. This can cause a range of health problems for the newborn, including low birth weight, premature birth, or even stillbirth.

As such, early intervention makes all the difference. Routine testing and completing treatment are essential steps in protecting your baby and ensuring a successful pregnancy.

Common Symptoms in Pregnant Women

Common symptoms of syphilis in pregnant women can vary depending on the stage of the infection. In the early stages, women may notice painless sores, called chancres, on the genitals, mouth, or other areas of contact.

As the infection progresses, symptoms might include a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, or fatigue. In some cases, syphilis can remain asymptomatic for a long time, making routine testing at prenatal visits key to early detection and treatment.

If you experience any unusual symptoms, it’s important to let your doctor know right away.

Getting Diagnosed

Routine Testing for Syphilis in Pregnancy

Routine syphilis testing is an important part of prenatal care and is recommended for all pregnant women during their first visit. Detecting syphilis early helps prevent adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or complications for the baby.

Additional testing is also recommended later in pregnancy, especially if at higher risk or live in areas with high rates of infection. Staying proactive with testing ensures the best protection for both you and your baby.

What Happens During Testing?

To test for syphilis, your doctor will take a small blood sample, which is then analyzed for signs of the infection. This process is simple, quick, and safe for both mother and baby.

Results are typically available within a few days. When they’re ready, your healthcare provider will review them with you and discuss treatment options if necessary.

What if the Test is Positive?

If your test comes back positive, don’t panic. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan based on the stage of your pregnancy and infection.

The plan will likely involve penicillin injections, as a single dose or series, which are safe and effective. Remember to follow your doctor’s instructions closely. Proper adherence to treatment can prevent complications and help ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Starting Syphilis Treatment

How is Syphilis in Pregnancy Treated?

Receiving a syphilis diagnosis during pregnancy can feel overwhelming but understanding what to expect during treatment can make the process less daunting.

Penicillin is the gold-standard treatment for syphilis and is both safe and highly effective for pregnant mothers and their babies. This antibiotic works by eliminating the bacteria that cause syphilis.

Other antibiotics, such as doxycycline, are effective in non-pregnant patients but are not safe during pregnancy, making penicillin the preferred choice. For those who are allergic to penicillin, desensitization is often recommended during pregnancy so penicillin can still be used safely.

What is the Timeline for Managing Syphilis?

Depending on the stage of the disease, one dose of penicillin may not be enough to fully cure the infection. Some cases require multiple doses administered over a specific timeline.

The timeline for managing syphilis varies and is dependent on the syphilis stages. For early-stage syphilis, treatment can typically be completed within a single visit, while later stages may require several weeks of injections or follow-up care. Your doctor will determine the appropriate schedule based on your condition to ensure the infection is fully eradicated.

Remember that completing the entire prescribed course is crucial. Even if symptoms improve or disappear, stopping treatment early can leave the infection untreated or increase the risk of reinfection. Following your doctor’s treatment plan closely and attending all follow-up appointments will help protect both you and your baby throughout pregnancy.

Syphilis Management: Understanding Reinfection

Can You Get Syphilis Again?

Even if you’ve gone through a full course of treatment, it’s possible to get reinfected with syphilis during pregnancy if you are exposed to an infected partner.

That’s why follow-up testing is essential to confirm that the infection has been fully treated and that there are no signs of reinfection. These tests are typically scheduled during prenatal visits to monitor your progress.

If you are at high risk or have been exposed again, additional testing is especially recommended to keep you and your baby safe.

What Happens if Reinfected During Pregnancy?

If you are reinfected during pregnancy, prompt treatment is essential to avoid risks to both you and your baby.

Keep in mind that reinfection is a separate event from the initial infection, meaning it requires a new round of treatment. In other words, the treatment clock resets every time you are diagnosed with a new infection.

How To Prevent Reinfection

Practicing safe sex and ensuring that your partner is also tested and treated can help prevent reinfection during pregnancy. Regular follow-up testing during pregnancy can also catch any reinfection early.

You could also use condoms consistently during sexual activity, as they provide an effective barrier against the spread of syphilis.

Additionally, talk openly with your partner about the importance of getting tested and completing treatment—untreated partners can unknowingly reinfect you.

Staying on Track with Syphilis Management

Communicate With Your Doctor

Your doctor is there to support you, so make regular check-ups a priority during your pregnancy. Let them know if you’re experiencing any symptoms or have concerns about your treatment.

Keeping the lines of communication open ensures your care stays on track and any issues are addressed quickly.

Disclose New Partners

If you’ve had any new sexual partners during pregnancy, let your doctor know right away. This helps your healthcare providers evaluate your risk for reinfection or other sexually transmitted infections and decide if further testing or treatment is necessary.

Being open about your sexual history ensures the best care for you and your baby and keeps potential complications at bay.

Practice Safe Sex

Using condoms during pregnancy is a simple and effective way to prevent reinfection with syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections. Make sure your partner gets tested and treated if there’s any chance they could be infected, as untreated syphilis infections can put you at risk again.

Monitoring Your Baby’s Health

Doctors will closely monitor your baby throughout pregnancy to check for any signs of congenital syphilis. These checks may include ultrasounds or other tests to assess the baby’s development and overall health.

Even if syphilis has been treated during pregnancy, newborns may still require testing at birth to confirm they are free of infection. This testing is a precaution to ensure any remaining risks are addressed promptly.

If the baby does show signs of infection, early treatment with antibiotics is highly effective in preventing long-term complications.

Planning for Delivery

Taking the right steps both before and after delivery plays a crucial role in preventing congenital syphilis and keeping your baby healthy.

If your syphilis treatment was effective during pregnancy, your delivery should proceed like any other, with minimal concerns. Even so, your doctor may test the baby at birth to ensure there are no remaining traces of infection.

For cases where treatment wasn’t completed, your baby may require antibiotics after delivery to avoid complications. These antibiotics are safe, effective, and work quickly to address any potential risks from congenital syphilis. With early treatment, most babies go on to thrive and experience no long-term health issues.

Protecting Your Baby, Step by Step

Dealing with syphilis in pregnancy may feel like an overwhelming challenge, but you’re not alone—and it’s entirely manageable with the right approach.

Early diagnosis, completing your treatment, and preventing reinfection are simple but powerful ways to safeguard your baby’s health.

Finally, staying proactive and in touch with your doctor ensures everything stays on track. Your efforts matter, and they make a big difference in creating a safe, healthy outcome for both you and your baby.