Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released new recommendations to increase syphilis screenings for pregnant people. ACOG’s new guidance recommends screening all pregnant people for syphilis three times during pregnancy: at the first prenatal visit, rescreened during the third trimester and again at delivery.

As rates of congenital syphilis in San Diego County increase and new guidance becomes recommended, it’s important for our community to continue this work.

For the past three years, we’ve had the privilege of working in collaboration with the HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Branch of Public Health Services department, of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency to address the alarming rates of congenital syphilis is San Diego County.

Through this grant, we provided provider and clinic trainings on the updated guidelines for testing pregnant people for syphilis while developing extensive digital and print resources and materials to spread the word to “Get Tested. Get Treated. Spread the Word.”

While this grant is coming to a close, our resources will still be made available on our Congenital Syphilis webpage – most materials are available in 10 languages and all materials are easily downloadable.

We encourage everyone to continue spreading awareness about the rates of congenital syphilis and the resources available so we can make this disease a “never event” again!

To learn more about congenital syphilis please visit: www.aapca3.org/cs.

ARTICLES YOU SHOULD READ

• San Diego Union-Tribune: “San Diego County public health officials alarmed by number of babies born with syphilis”
• San Diego Union-Tribune: “Penicillin shortage threatens babies at risk of syphilis”
• San Diego Union-Tribune Op-Ed: “Opinion: Congenital syphilis is increasing. Women of color should be concerned”

LOCAL RESOURCES

• 2-1-1 San Diego: Helpline and searchable database for community resources, including prenatal care and STI/STD testing
• American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 3: Resources for healthcare providers
• CAPS Pregnancy Clinics: Free pregnancy support and STI testing
• Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest offers:
  • Pregnancy testing and options
  • STI/STD testing and treatment
• San Diego County STD Clinics
• San Diego County Perinatal Care Network provides:
  • Help with first prenatal appointment
  • Transportation assistance for prenatal care
• The San Diego LGBT Community Center offers free STI screenings

NATIONAL RESOURCES

• CDC GetTested Site Finder