This information is for you if you are pregnant and have a positive test result for syphilis
This information is for you if you are pregnant, have had a test for syphilis and have been told that you may have had a syphilis infection in the past or may have an infection now.
Published July 2022, SP 6th Edition
Contents
― What your blood test result means
― What is syphilis?
― How did I become infected with syphilis?
― What will happen next?
― What treatment can I have?
― How will having syphilis affect my pregnancy?
― How will having syphilis affect my baby?
― Will my baby need antibiotics?
― Who needs to know that I have syphilis?
― Where can I get more information?
We need to double-check the result by taking another blood sample from you. It is very unlikely that this result will be any different.
Here you will find information about:
• syphilis and being pregnant;
• how having syphilis can affect your baby; and
• treatment you can have while you are pregnant.
What your blood test result means
Your positive test result does not mean you definitely have syphilis. The results of the screening test for syphilis are not always easy to understand – an expert needs to look at the results and ask you questions about yourself and previous infections. Sometimes the result of the screening test will come back positive because you have had syphilis in the past and this has been treated. Other, less serious diseases can also cause a positive test result.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a serious bacterial infection. When you have been infected with syphilis you may only have been unwell for a short time at first, and you may not have known you had it. But if syphilis is not treated it can cause you serious problems later in life, including brain damage and heart problems.
Syphilis infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
How did I become infected with syphilis?
You can become infected with syphilis through unprotected sex (sex without a condom), including oral sex, with an infected person.
What will happen next?
If the screening test is positive, you will be given an urgent appointment with a specialist doctor. This doctor will ask you questions about yourself and any previous infections to help them make a diagnosis. If the doctor thinks you have a syphilis infection they will also decide on the best treatment. They will be able to answer your questions and give you support.
If you have a syphilis infection it is very important that it is treated effectively to reduce the chance of the infection passing to your baby while you are pregnant. If the infection passes to your baby, it could cause miscarriage, stillbirth or abnormalities in your baby.
Your midwife will be able to help you plan your care and discuss any options with you.
What treatment can I have?
If you have syphilis, the specialist doctor will talk to you about how it will affect you. You will be given antibiotics. After having the antibiotics you will need blood tests to check that the infection has been completely cleared.
How will having syphilis affect my pregnancy?
Having syphilis will not affect the rest of your pregnancy if you are treated. You do not have to have a Caesarean section because of the infection, and you can breastfeed.
How will having syphilis affect my baby?
The earlier in the pregnancy you start having antibiotic treatment, the less likely it is that your baby will become infected with syphilis. If your infection is diagnosed later in pregnancy, your baby may have the condition. A paediatrician will examine your baby soon after they are born. Your baby will need several blood tests to see if they have syphilis and need antibiotics.
If you do not finish the treatment, you are very likely to pass the syphilis infection to your baby during pregnancy. This could be very dangerous for your baby. Your baby could die before birth or have a number of serious health problems.
Will my baby need antibiotics?
Your baby may need antibiotics after the birth, especially if you were given antibiotics in late pregnancy, because there may still be a chance that your baby is infected. These antibiotics are usually given by injection.
Who needs to know that I have syphilis?
To give you and your baby the best care, we will need to involve other specialists. Because of this, your midwife will ask you if they can share information about you with these specialists before they become involved with your care.
It is important to tell your past and present sexual partners. They should think about getting tested for syphilis so that they can have treatment if they need to. If you are currently in a relationship, you can ask the specialist doctor about how to explain your syphilis test result to your partner. You can also tell the specialist whether you want your GP to know you have syphilis. Once syphilis has been successfully treated, it will not come back unless you become infected again.
Where can I get more information?
You can get more information about syphilis from:
- the hospital midwife who specialises in antenatal screening or the hospital doctor (the obstetrician);
- your nearest NHS sexual health clinic – you can phone your local hospital and ask for the sexual health clinic;
- the Public Health Wales website - Frisky Wales