Syphilis is preventable and understanding the ways it can be prevented can guide conversations with patients about prevention. Syphilis is primarily spread through contact with skin lesions or mucous membranes during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Vertical transmission to babies can also occur during pregnancy (congenital syphilis).
By combining safer sex practices and regular screening, syphilis transmission can be reduced.
Prevention strategies
Use condoms and water-based lubricant, dental dams during oral, vaginal, and anal sex
Encourage regular and opportunistic testing
Avoiding sex when a sexual partner/s has sores, rashes, or symptoms
Ensuring pregnant people are tested early and regularly throughout the pregnancy as per guidelines – see Testing in antenatal care.
Early intervention
Follow testing, treatment and contact tracing guidelines
Consider prescribing Doxy-PEP for gay or bisexual men, or transgender women. Refer to the Doxy-PEP Decision MakingTool for more information for clinicians/healthcare workers and the Doxy-PEP information sheet for patients.
Provide education on syphilis screening and prevention for people who are sexually active and those considering pregnancy and their partners. Consider the use of posters and other patient resources to support education, see – Guidelines & Resources.
