Syphilis cases have been rising nationally since 2000, along with other sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. CDC's 2022 data shows an 80% surge in syphilis cases since 2018. Congenital syphilis, passed from mother to fetus, also rose 31% in 2022, reaching 10 times the rate of 2012.  Syphilis can be prevented by avoiding unprotected sex with multiple partners, and it is treatable with medication when found early. Without treatment, syphilis can become life-threatening. Free or low cost STI testing may be available through local Planned Parenthood clinics or a community health center.

Syphilis is a bacterial disease that is most often transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who is infected, but also through drug needle sharing. While the rates of several STIs have been on the rise for years, the most recent spike is alarming with Black and American Indian communities being hit hardest, and women making up a greater number of the cases.

Early detection is important to prevent long-term health problems. It could be hard to tell if someone has syphilis based on symptoms alone, as the first symptoms appear as a small skin lesion that looks like a pimple in the genital area or in the mouth. This can be easily missed, or mistaken for a pimple, and it goes away on its own after six weeks. Symptoms vary by stage and include rashes in the second stage and flu-like symptoms in the third stage. These symptoms can come and go on their own, making them easy to miss or confuse with something else.

Syphilis can be transmitted even if you have no or mild symptoms and does not go away without treatment with antibiotics. It is important to get tested for syphilis if you are sexually active, and if you are pregnant because syphilis in pregnancy can pass to the baby.

Untreated syphilis can cause serious complications during pregnancy and be passed on to the baby, causing congenital syphilis. Congenital syphilis is often a life-threatening condition for the child. Pregnant persons should be tested for STIs including syphilis at one of their first prenatal care appointments.

Prevention strategies include using condoms or dental dams during sex, getting tested for STIs regularly while sexually active with different partners, and asking current partners to be tested for STIs. Low cost or free testing is available at many Planned Parenthood locations, or other community health locations.

Because syphilis symptoms can be easy to miss, it is likely that more people have syphilis than are tested. This means that actual rates of syphilis are likely higher than current estimates.