UNPROTECTED SEX CAN PUT YOU AT RISK
SYPHILIS A REASON
TO ALWAYS WEAR CONDOMS.
and can spread between partners
It’s important to remember to always wear a condom when you have sex to protect yourself against STIs like syphilis. However, if a syphilis sore is outside of the area covered by a condom, you could still be infected, or infect your partner, with syphilis. The best way to prevent infection is to make sure that you and your partner have both been tested and are syphilis-free before having sex.
Get tested todayAlthough it is extremely helpful in the prevention of HIV infection, PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis does not protect against syphilis or other STIs. The fact is, wearing a condom every time is the best way to protect yourself. But even wearing condoms is not 100% guaranteed to stop infection—that’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about getting tested.
Importance of testingSYPHILISN'T
PREVENTED WITH PrEP.
36% OF ALL SYPHILIS CASESARE IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN
SYPHILISN'T ONLY AFFECTING
YOUNG PEOPLE.
Though you may not think it, older populations are contracting syphilis at a growing rate. In fact, the rate of people 55 years and older contracting syphilis has more than doubled since 2017. Issues in practicing safe sex arise from a lack of awareness among older patients and nurses of the clinical signs and symptoms of STIs, putting older adults at increased risk. While you may believe you’re not at risk, being safe during sex is important, regardless of age.
Importance of testingSYPHILIS HARMFUL
TO YOUR UNBORN BABY.
When left untreated, syphilis can pass through a woman’s bloodstream and placenta, infecting the baby. This is called congenital syphilis, and it can cause serious complications during pregnancy. This can include developmental delays, seizures, and even stillbirth and premature death in infants. In 2021, 220 congenital syphilis-related stillbirths and infant deaths were reported.
Talk to your doctor about getting tested as part of your prenatal care and treated if needed, to help protect your baby from congenital syphilis.
Importance of testing
increase of
syphilis cases
in babies
The number of cases of congenital syphilis increased by 3x in 2021 compared to 2017 (2855 vs 941 cases).
