CDPH Health Update: New and Updated Syphilis Screening Recommendations
Posted October 21, 2024The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has shared the New and Updated Syphilis Screening Recommendations in response to the rise in syphilis and congenital syphilis rates across California. These recommendations are applicable statewide, and inclusive of all of California, regardless of local case rates. In summary:
- All sexually active persons 15-44 years old, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, should now be screened for syphilis at least once in their lifetime. Following the initial screen, CDPH recommends that syphilis screening be offered annually.
- Syphilis testing should be included whenever a person of any age is tested for HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including mpox.
- All pregnant persons should now be screened for syphilis three times: (1) at confirmation of pregnancy or first prenatal encounter, (2) early in the third trimester (at approximately 28 weeks gestation or as soon as possible thereafter), and (3) at delivery.
- All persons 15-44 years old who enter a correctional facility should ideally be screened for syphilis, preferably at intake.
- Emergency departments and hospital-affiliated urgent care clinics should screen all pregnant persons for syphilis prior to discharge if syphilis test results are not available for the current pregnancy.
- CDPH encourages health care providers to empirically treat for syphilis while awaiting confirmatory testing, if clinically indicated, among persons who have preliminary positive treponemal or non-treponemal test results — particularly if the likelihood of successful patient follow-up is uncertain.
In addition, California Prevention Training Center (CAPTC), University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), & CDPH are jointly hosting a STI Clinical Update Webinar on Syphilis in Pregnancy, to be held November 20, 12-1:15pm (PST). Register here: National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers | Class Information | (nnptc.org) (flyer is below for download).
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