All-time high in syphilis cases — Revised syphilis and pregnancy guidelines launched
Australia is experiencing a record-high number of syphilis cases, including congenital syphilis which causes miscarriage or stillbirth. Infectious and congenital syphilis are now a high public health priority. Between 2001 and 2023, the rate of infectious syphilis notifications in Queensland increased nine-fold.
Clinicians should be particularly attentive to antenatal patients and their partners, as it aligns with the recent revision and release of the latest Syphilis and Pregnancy Guidelines.
Vulnerability factors include a history of substance use, mental health issues, domestic and family violence, housing and/or economic instability. People experiencing these circumstances are at higher risk of syphilis infection and also face barriers to care that can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
National Guidelines update: Pregnant patients to be tested for syphilis 3 times
The Communicable Disease Network of Australia (CDNA) has updated the Syphilis Series of National Guidelines. The CDNA Guidelines now recommend a minimum of 3 syphilis tests during pregnancy for every pregnant person.
Test for syphilis at:
the first antenatal visit
26-28 weeks
36 weeks or birth (whichever is earlier).
Next steps in addressing the rise in syphilis cases
The Department of Health and Aged Care notes the importance for health professionals to regularly screen their patients for syphilis, particularly pregnant patients.
This requires awareness of the range of symptoms and potential risk indicators in a patient’s history, and the establishment of confidence and trust for patients to feel safe to raise sensitive issues about sex, including partner tracing.
A range of resources are available to support conversations with your patients, including:
a factsheet for health professionals
posters for display in your practice
a discussion guide for health professionals
factsheets for men who have sex with men, and for First Nations peoples.
The Nurse Navigator service is available to support you
For advice, assistance and support, primary health clinicians across Queensland can access the services of the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service (QSSS). QSSSS-South now has a nurse navigator that can support clinicians in the Brisbane South PHN region with cases of syphilis infection that need assistance to overcome barriers to engagement in care.
Contact QSSS and the nurse navigator on 1800 032 238 or via QLD-Syphilis-Surveillance-Service@health.qld.gov.au.
More helpful information for health workers
View the syphilis HealthPathway: Syphilis - Community HealthPathways Brisbane South (SpotOnHealth)
Syphilis outbreak in Queensland: health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/sex-health/syphilis