Main navigation is closed
Sentara joins regional Stop Syphilis coalition
Disease is surging across all age groups, including newborns
Syphilis is making a comeback. It reached a historic low in the U.S. around 2000, with fewer than four cases per 100,000 population. But a nationwide effort to eradicate syphilis fell short, and now the disease is surging again among all demographic groups, including seniors and newborns. In Virginia, the surge is worst in the Hampton Roads region.
Public health data for Eastern Virginia from 2024 shows 642 reported cases of early syphilis and 330 late cases, plus 15 congenital cases in newborns, meaning their mothers had untreated syphilis during pregnancy and passed it to their babies.
“Every baby born with syphilis is a preventable tragedy,” said Susan Girois, M.D., director of the . “Our goal is to reduce new syphilis infections across the region and eliminate congenital syphilis once and for all.”
猫咪社区 has joined a regional coalition led by the (VDH) and the . A is active, and a public awareness campaign, Stop Syphilis, is scheduled to launch next month. Sentara is doing its part to test at-risk patients, treat the disease, and stop its spread.
"Sentara Community Care is excited to partner with the Virginia Department of Health to improve awareness of syphilis rates in our regions,” said Michael Charles, M.D., executive director of medical operations for Sentara Community Care, which focuses on reaching underserved populations through brick-and-mortar medical offices and mobile clinics throughout Virginia. “We are offering screening tests to all sexually active patients aged 14 to 44 at our community-based and mobile clinics.”
Sentara emergency departments (EDs) are also involved. They are identifying, testing, and treating patients with symptoms suggestive of syphilis. In addition, EDs are educating at-risk patients on the need for syphilis screening. Clinical leaders are collaborating with the VDH to develop a streamlined process to expand syphilis testing in the EDs as a screen in appropriate patients. The initial focus for screenings would be patients seeking care for symptoms of other sexually transmitted diseases who are at high risk for syphilis.
"Collaboration is key to reach our goal,” added Dr. Girois. “We are grateful to partner with Sentara and our broader community to tackle this public health challenge. By working together, we raise awareness, provide resources, and ensure that everyone has access to the testing and treatment they need to safeguard our region."
Once diagnosed, syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated, syphilis can progress into deadly neurological and cardiovascular issues in adults and cause blindness. Congenital syphilis in newborns can lead to stillbirths and infant deaths, birth defects, and developmental issues. Testing and treatment during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, can reduce the risk of congenital syphilis. Babies born with syphilis spend at least ten days in neonatal intensive care receiving IV antibiotics and additional testing. Repeated follow-ups are needed after discharge.
The regional Stop Syphilis Initiative is a collaboration among VDH, area hospitals, universities, and community partners using multiple platforms and strategies. The initiative has already streamlined clinical and referral processes, standardized testing, and clarified the roles of healthcare providers and VDH, leading to improvements in testing and treatment.
The next crucial step is the public awareness campaign, which will engage trusted community voices and use a media campaign to encourage early testing of pregnant women and empower individuals to take control of their sexual health by protecting sexual partners.
The campaign involves public education about the need for testing and frank conversations between health providers and patients of all ages who are sexually active. It also involves educating and encouraging primary care doctors and other clinicians to get comfortable asking questions and offering testing.
Methods include better data tracking, more rapid testing in outpatient settings, strong case management and contact tracing, partner notification, and preventive treatment. The campaign’s goal is to stop the spread of a disease once nearly eradicated, but now on the move again.
Public health data for Eastern Virginia from 2024 shows 642 reported cases of early syphilis and 330 late cases, plus 15 congenital cases in newborns, meaning their mothers had untreated syphilis during pregnancy and passed it to their babies.
“Every baby born with syphilis is a preventable tragedy,” said Susan Girois, M.D., director of the . “Our goal is to reduce new syphilis infections across the region and eliminate congenital syphilis once and for all.”
猫咪社区 has joined a regional coalition led by the (VDH) and the . A is active, and a public awareness campaign, Stop Syphilis, is scheduled to launch next month. Sentara is doing its part to test at-risk patients, treat the disease, and stop its spread.
"Sentara Community Care is excited to partner with the Virginia Department of Health to improve awareness of syphilis rates in our regions,” said Michael Charles, M.D., executive director of medical operations for Sentara Community Care, which focuses on reaching underserved populations through brick-and-mortar medical offices and mobile clinics throughout Virginia. “We are offering screening tests to all sexually active patients aged 14 to 44 at our community-based and mobile clinics.”
Sentara emergency departments (EDs) are also involved. They are identifying, testing, and treating patients with symptoms suggestive of syphilis. In addition, EDs are educating at-risk patients on the need for syphilis screening. Clinical leaders are collaborating with the VDH to develop a streamlined process to expand syphilis testing in the EDs as a screen in appropriate patients. The initial focus for screenings would be patients seeking care for symptoms of other sexually transmitted diseases who are at high risk for syphilis.
"Collaboration is key to reach our goal,” added Dr. Girois. “We are grateful to partner with Sentara and our broader community to tackle this public health challenge. By working together, we raise awareness, provide resources, and ensure that everyone has access to the testing and treatment they need to safeguard our region."
Once diagnosed, syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated, syphilis can progress into deadly neurological and cardiovascular issues in adults and cause blindness. Congenital syphilis in newborns can lead to stillbirths and infant deaths, birth defects, and developmental issues. Testing and treatment during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, can reduce the risk of congenital syphilis. Babies born with syphilis spend at least ten days in neonatal intensive care receiving IV antibiotics and additional testing. Repeated follow-ups are needed after discharge.
The regional Stop Syphilis Initiative is a collaboration among VDH, area hospitals, universities, and community partners using multiple platforms and strategies. The initiative has already streamlined clinical and referral processes, standardized testing, and clarified the roles of healthcare providers and VDH, leading to improvements in testing and treatment.
The next crucial step is the public awareness campaign, which will engage trusted community voices and use a media campaign to encourage early testing of pregnant women and empower individuals to take control of their sexual health by protecting sexual partners.
The campaign involves public education about the need for testing and frank conversations between health providers and patients of all ages who are sexually active. It also involves educating and encouraging primary care doctors and other clinicians to get comfortable asking questions and offering testing.
Methods include better data tracking, more rapid testing in outpatient settings, strong case management and contact tracing, partner notification, and preventive treatment. The campaign’s goal is to stop the spread of a disease once nearly eradicated, but now on the move again.
By: Dale Gauding