Babies born to mothers with syphilis can suffer severe health consequences. This is why the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is urging rural healthcare providers to conduct syphilis screenings for pregnant women. There has been a significant rise in the number of infants born exposed to syphilis in Utah. As a rural health provider, you play a crucial role in:
- testing,
- treating, and
- preventing the spread of syphilis.
Providers can help prevent congenital syphilis by adhering to the DHHS screening guidelines during pregnancy.
“The DHHS Division of Population Health recognizes the ongoing shortage of Bicillin, which poses challenges for treating syphilis.” said Nikki Baer, an STD/HIV prevention specialist. “We recommend that clinics keep a supply of Bicillin on hand for pregnant patients if possible, and we hope this shortage will be resolved by the fourth quarter of 2026. If you are unable to find Bicillin for a pregnant patient or infant, contact us at 801-538-6191, and we will assist in locating a facility that has Bicillin in stock for you to refer your patient to.”
For more information, visit https://epi.utah.gov/syphilis/.