Content Information
A. Isolation and Quarantine Requirements
None.
B. Protection of Contacts of a Case
The IDPH will initiate the partner notification program with all persons who are newly diagnosed with syphilis infection. Healthcare providers can facilitate this process by describing the program to the patient and encouraging the patient to meet with the disease prevention specialist assigned to his or her region.
Patients’ names and times of exposures are not used in the notification of partners. Syphilis testing is offered to all partners free of charge and appropriate referrals to other services are provided during the partner counseling sessions.
Physicians should assist the disease prevention specialists with the collection of partner information for notification. In such cases, the physician should collect the following information: Partner name, address, home phone number, age and/or date of birth, race, sex, partner/marital status, height, size/build, general description of the partner, and dates of first and last exposure. Any other information that may help in locating and counseling the partner may also be included, such as medical conditions, place of employment, cell phone numbers, or other unusual circumstances/ situations.
C. Managing Special Situations
Occupational Exposures
None.
Reported Incidence Is Higher than Usual/Outbreak Suspected
Report unusual cases to the Iowa Department of Public Health at (515) 281-3031.
D. Preventive Measures
Preventive Measures/Education
Risk reduction counseling/education and testing should be offered to all persons with risk factors for syphilis infection and transmission.
The best way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
Latex male condoms for vaginal, oral or anal sex, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of syphilis.
The Centers for Disease Control STD Treatment Guidelines provide specific recommendations for STD prevention services that should be provided for all sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM): www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/default.htm The first recommendation for this population is that STD screening be performed at least annually.
Any genital symptoms such as an unusual sore or rash should be a sign to stop having sex and consult a healthcare provider immediately. If a person has been diagnosed with syphilis (or any other STD), he or she must notify all recent sex partners so they can see a healthcare provider and be treated. The person and all of his or her sex partners must avoid sex until they have completed their treatment for syphilis. Disease prevention specialists will assist infected patients with this process.
In addition to treatment for syphilis, an infected patient should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
See a current list of sites which can provide STD testing, as well as HIV testing and counseling.
For information on STD/HIV testing sites, please call the Iowa Department of Public Health STD Program at 515-281-3031.
Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Reviewed 7/15