Exposure of sexual partners to syphilis

Syphilis is contracted through contact, including sexual contact, with an open sore (chancre) or skin rash caused by syphilis. Sores are less common after the first year of infection.

Sex partners of a person who has syphilis in any stage should be evaluated using tests for syphilis.¹ Antibiotic treatment is recommended for all exposed partners.

If a person was exposed (has had sexual contact with a person who has syphilis) within the past 90 days, blood tests may come back negative even though he or she may be infected. Treatment is usually recommended even if the blood test is negative.

Long-term sex partners of persons with late syphilis should be tested for syphilis and treated if blood tests are positive.

References

Citations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006). Syphilis section of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2006. MMWR, 55(No. RR-11): 22–30. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/default.htm.

Credits

Author	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
Last Updated	October 2, 2007