What should you know about syphilis when pregnant?

Syphilis can be present without a noticeable sore or rash, so screening and a careful sexual-health history are useful during pregnancy. If infection is present, the bacteria can cross from the pregnant person to the developing baby and may cause serious pregnancy or newborn problems. A diagnosis does not tell you when infection began, so previous tests and treatment history matter.

Your maternity clinician or sexual-health clinician can interpret blood tests, check for symptoms and coordinate care. Testing is confidential, and a partner may also need assessment to reduce the chance of reinfection.

Contact your maternity team promptly if you have a known exposure, a reactive syphilis test, or symptoms such as a painless sore or rash. Bring details of previous results, diagnoses, allergies and medicines. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen before arranging review.

Take the recommended antibiotic treatment exactly as prescribed and attend follow-up visits. Your team may arrange repeat blood tests and newborn assessment. Avoid sexual contact until clinicians give specific advice, and ensure partners are evaluated and treated when needed.

Seek same-day advice from your maternity or sexual-health team after a possible exposure or reactive test. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, bleeding, reduced fetal movement later in pregnancy, fever with a rash, eye symptoms, hearing changes, severe headache or confusion. Use local emergency services for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Ask which tests are needed, when treatment should start, how the medicine fits your pregnancy, whether repeat testing is planned, and how the baby will be assessed. Ask how partners can receive care and which symptoms need urgent attention.