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Syphilis is Back

And it’s in your neck of the woods.

The good news is that it is preventable and curable.

You might not know you have it, because like many STDs, symptoms can go unnoticed. The only way to know is to get tested.

If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems for you and your partner.

Our 35 health centers offer confidential, accurate and affordable STD testing.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a highly contagious disease that is spread by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has a syphilis sore. It occurs in stages. Each stage has different signs and symptoms. 

Early symptoms can be mild or non-existent. But it can stay in your system for many years and affect multiple organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints in the latest stages.

The good news: 

Syphilis is 100% preventable & treatable with antibiotics.

Women and Syphilis

Rates of early syphilis among women of childbearing age increased by more than 600% between 2012 and 2017.

Approximately 15-20% of women with syphilis were reported as pregnant.

Congenital Syphilis:

Syphilis can spread from an infected mother to her baby. This is called Congenital Syphilis. 

2 out of every 5 babies born to women with syphilis may be stillborn or die from infection. The number of babies born with congentital syphilis in California increased every year since 2012.

Prenatal screening and prompt treatment for pregnant women is essential for preventing these devastating birth outcomes.

Testing and Treatment

Testing is a simple blood test. If you do test positive, Syphilis can be easily cured with antibiotics and we can treat your partner too.

What if You're Pregnant?

Get tested for syphilis as soon as possible.

If you do test positive, you can start treatment at any point in your pregnancy with no harm to the fetus.

Get your partner treated, so you don’t get reinfected. Wear condoms to avoid reinfection. 

How do I pay for Testing and Treatment?

We accept many insurance plans including Medi-Cal, Family PACT, Medicare, and private employer plans. If you have no insurance, we still have you covered with sliding scale fees based on your income level.  

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